(Patriot.Buzz) – In an attempt to seemingly address one side effect of the alarming drug crisis affecting America, a new bill in Florida is stirring up quite the conversation for proposing being able to kill black bears high on crack.
Republican state congressman Jason Shoaf is behind this unusual proposal that aims to lift most penalties for killing bears without a permit especially if they pose a danger after consuming drugs and invading homes.
Shoaf made his case during a committee meeting by painting a vivid picture of drug-affected bears breaking into homes and causing chaos. “We’re talking about the ones that are on crack, and they break your door down, and they’re standing in your living room growling and tearing your house apart,” he explained to The Guardian and advocated for the right to shoot such bears without fear of legal repercussions.
Despite the dramatic nature of Shoaf’s claims the news site notes that there is no record of any black bear in Florida actually consuming cocaine. When asked for further details Shoaf emphasized that his bill is not really about bears.
He assured that laws against animal cruelty and baiting would remain unaffected and pointed out that his real focus is on “nuisance bears” that threaten human and pet safety in residential areas.
Opponents of the bill argue it could lead to unnecessary bear killings by allowing people to justify their actions as self-defense even when there is no real threat. However, Shoaf accuses these critics of spreading unnecessary fear.
Despite the controversy Shoaf maintains a fondness for bears and described them as “cute and cuddly and an amazing creature.” Nonetheless, his bill has moved forward after a committee vote and now faces the entire House for consideration.
The proposal triggered swift backlash from wildlife advocates, with One Protest launching a petition that has gathered nearly 20,000 signatures. The petition warns that the legislation could open the door to unjustified claims of self-defense in situations where bears pose no real danger.
