This petition is asking for bear killer Alejandro Castellano to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Letter sent to State Attorney RJ Larizza on Sunday, September 20, 2020:

Sunday Morning Greetings to the office and staff of Volusia County State Attorney RJ Larizza 
251 N. Ridgewood Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Email: larizzar@sao7.org. 
Phone: 386-239-7714

 

I would like to work with the state attorney's office on the bear killing case to ensure the person who shot and killed a Florida Black Bear is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

On June 24th, Alejandro Castellano, xx/xx/64, living at xxxx Indian Lake Road in Daytona Beach, shot and killed a Florida Black Bear.
News article: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/09/17/florida-man-charged-with-accidentally-shooting-bear-that-was-trying-to-eat-his-trash/   

"Castellano told them that he got a notification from his alarm that there was activity in his yard so he went outside and saw a black bear trying to get into his trash can. Castellano grabbed his .22 caliber rifle and fired... struck the bear. Records show the bear collapsed to the ground, unable to stand, and dragged itself into the wood line. Officers said they went into the woods with an FWC biologist and found the bear but determined that its back was broken and it wouldn’t be able to recover, so it was euthanized.  The .22 caliber bullet was found lodged inside the bear’s lungs, according to the affidavit. A single shell casing was found on Castellano’s porch."

Florida State Representative David Smith and I worked very closely and diligently this year to pass my bear bill (HB327/SB688) unanimously through the Florida House and Senate, which increases fines and penalties for killing Florida Black Bears.  

With this email, I am requesting to be listed as the victim advocate and notified of all arraignments and court hearings for Castellano.  It is clearly evidenced that Castellano unnecessarily and callously caused this bear to experience incredible amounts of pain and suffering.

If necessary, my 501c3 non profit organization Bear Warriors United will sue Castellano in civil court. Any and all monetary damages awarded will go to fund the Bear Warriors United strap program, which has helped nearly 2,000 people living in bear habitat to secure their trash cans and remove bear attractants, by providing- at no charge- our 'Bear Care Packages' that contain straps to secure trash cans, bear whistles to scare bear away, 'Peacefully Coexist with Native Wildlife' brochures and "Avoid Attracting Bears" door hangers to educate those living in bear country.  We also have Bear Fair events, during which we use tools to retrofit the straps onto existing trash cans for residents of bear habitat encroaching neighborhoods.  

Volusia County Solid Waste Department even gives out my phone number to people who call their office asking for help securing their trash from bears, but are unable to afford the bear proof trash cans. I mail out/hand deliver Bear Care Packages to any and all of those Volusia County residents in need.  In short, Volusia County residents have no excuse for not securing their trash from native wildlife. 

Please see the attached pictures of our Bear Care Package contents AND of an aerial shot of Castellano's property where he shot and killed the bear. His house was built in the middle of-and is still surrounded by-a forest. He was illegally attracting and feeding bears by not securing his trash, and then compounded his criminal behavior by illegally shooting and killing a bear. Records show that Castellano was in NO danger from the bear and went out of his way to kill the bear. Castellano is the poster child for irresponsible and dangerous human behavior that is decimating our imperilled native wildlife populations. He must be made an example of!

Please contact me anytime, day or night, to discuss how I can assist the state attorney in getting justice for the innocent bear. 

Beary Best Regards,

Katrina R. Shadix, Executive Director
Bear Warriors United
407-702-3576
P. O. Box 622621
Oviedo, FL 32762-2621