Missouri Poacher Ordered to Watch ‘Bambi’ Once a Month for a Year

A Missouri judge is making an example of poacher David Berry Jr. and his family by ordering him to repeatedly watch the Disney classic Bambi during his jail time.

David Berry Jr., his father David Berry Sr., and his brother Kyle Berry were arrested in August at the conclusion of a nine-month, multi-state investigation on poaching that spanned Kansas, Nebraska, and even parts of Canada. According to reporting by The Ledger-Inquirer, “the Missouri Department of Conservation said information from the investigation led to 14 Missouri residents facing more than 230 charges in 11 counties.”

Even after paying $51,000 in fines and court expenses, Berry, his father, both of his brothers, and another individual have had their fishing and trapping privileges revoked. “The deer were trophy bucks taken illegally, mostly at night, for their heads, leaving the bodies of the deer to waste,” said Don Trotter, the Lawrence County prosecuting attorney.

In addition to the usual sentencing, Berry will be made an example of by order of Lawrence County Judge Robert George, who has decreed the poacher must be forced to “view the Walt Disney movie Bambi, with the first viewing being on or before December 23, 2018, and at least one such viewing each month thereafter” for the duration of his sentence.

Berry will serve his time in a Lawrence County jail, and begin his monthly viewings of the film no later than December 23, 2018. He will then serve an additional 120 days in Barton County, for a firearms probation violation.