Latest news with #bountyHunting
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Controversial proposal to pay hunters cash to kill feral animals in Australia
A controversial proposal to pay hunters $20 for each feral animal they kill in regional New South Wales has ignited a political firestorm. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday floated the idea as a potential solution to the state's $13million feral animal problem. Invasive species such as pigs, cats, dogs, and rabbits cost farmers millions in damage each year and pose a serious threat to native wildlife and ecosystems. But the 'barbaric' plan has been criticised, with NSW Upper House MP and Animal Justice Party member Emma Hurst condemning it as a waste of taxpayers' money. 'Bounties encourage mass cruelty to animals,' Hurst told Daily Mail Australia. 'A similar Victorian scheme has received extreme criticism for this. We can't copy the same ruthless and cruel program into NSW.' She said mass animal killing programs, including poison and aerial shootings, have been proven to be 'both cruel and ineffective'. Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough has also criticised the proposal, accusing the Premier and the Labor Party of cutting a political deal with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party in exchange for its support. '[It] has nothing to do with good feral animal management,' Gough said. 'Bounty hunters might be heroes on the big screen, but in the real world of feral animal control, they're just a waste of taxpayers' money.' Hurst echoed his concerns, arguing that there are more humane alternatives. 'If the Premier and the Shooters Party were genuine about wanting to reduce the number of introduced animals, they would be relying on science and running immunocontraceptive programs,' she said. 'You don't need to be an expert to see that arming the general public with guns and sending them off on a yahoo killing spree is not the answer, and, in fact, creates a risk for everyone in the community.' Shooters Party MP Robert Borsak has previously called for bounties to be offered, citing the failings of Local Land Services (LLS) regarding pest management. In 2024, LLS spent over $13.2million on pest control and removed just 112,000 animals, most of which were feral pigs. Mr Borsak said recreational hunters are both more efficient and more cost-effective. 'Recreational conservation hunters shot 1.69million pigs in the 2024 calendar year and contributed over $100million to the NSW economy, primarily benefiting rural and regional communities,' he told Parliament in March. He has proposed a $20 bounty for pigs, foxes, and feral cats in New South Wales, arguing the initiative would assist farmers and volunteer hunters while addressing the widespread damage caused by invasive species. According to Mr Borsak, a $2million program could result in the removal of 100,000 animals, a fraction of the cost of existing LLS programs. He said it would also reduce financial pressure on farmers and encouraging greater community involvement. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has backed the proposal and criticised its opponents, saying animal pests were costing $489million in damages each year. 'Online commentators who suggest we don't need additional efforts in this area are seriously out of touch with the realities of the landscape,' he said. 'That's a staggering amount of money, and that's why we welcome the Premier's approach to look at every option to slash the number of feral animals.'
CBS News
10-05-2025
- CBS News
Manhunt for Kaufman County murder suspect intensifies as bounty hunters join search
KAUFMAN COUNTY — A manhunt that started on Monday for a Kaufman County murder suspect continues with authorities still searching. The search is about justice for the murder victim's family, but it's about money for bounty hunters who are likely to be used in the effort to find Trevor McEuen. Chasing bail jumpers daily CBS News Texas When the phone rings in John Rosa's office, it's often bad news. But he's used to it. "We got people jump bail every day, yeah," Rosa said. The longtime Dallas bounty hunter and owner of Act Quick Bail Bonds keeps a photo album of the hundreds, if not thousands, of people who, over 40-plus years, chose to go on the run rather than go to court. "Are you the best in the game?" Rosa was asked. "Well, some say I am, you know, others may say they are," he replied. Tracking a high-stakes fugitive Rosa's team of licensed bounty hunters, including Cornelius Buckley, is closely watching the search in Kaufman and Van Zandt counties for McEuen. The 32-year-old cut off his ankle monitor before his trial was scheduled to begin earlier this week. "We told them that we would, you know, work the case," Rosa said. Perils of bounty hunting Rosa said the bail bond company that's on the hook for McEuen's bond of more than $2 million if he's not found within 10 months is considering their offer of 5 percent of the bond in return for the help. Bounty hunting can be extremely dangerous, as shown in a video from a car dealership in Greenville eight years ago. That's when two bounty hunters were killed in a shootout, which also left the fugitive dead. Trevor McEuen Kaufman County Following digital and paper trails Rosa said much of his work is following digital or paper trails that can sometimes be harder if the fugitive has money and a plan. Brian Maurice Fuller, who murdered a Dallas woman during a robbery outside a Dallas grocery store, jumped bail in 2010 and was on the run for two years before finally being captured. "It depends on the individual. Most guys, you know, they'll jump and go sit on their mom's couch. But then you get the guys that are a little more complex," Rosa said. Passion for the chase Rosa stays busy in his Dallas office while waiting to find out if he will join the search for McEuen. "Why? Well, the money for one. And, the passion of investigating and, you know, trying to, you know, I get a lot of feelings when we're able to catch the guy and cuff him and things like that," Rosa said.
