Woman investigated in Gila Monster killing | Animal Cruelty Taskforce of Southern Arizona

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV – Authorities are investigating social media reports of a woman killing a Gila monster.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department confirmed that Sarah Crabtree is under investigation connected to a Facebook post in which she appears to have beheaded a Gila monster with a screwdriver.

Crabtree was issued tickets on five counts:

Possession of restricted wildlife.
Taking of wildlife without a license.
Possession and transportation of unlawfully taken wildlife.
Taking of wildlife during closed season.
Taking of wildlife by unlawful method.

All crimes are second class misdemeanors punishable by six months in jail and $750 fine.

Crabtree was issued a ticket and will appear in Pima County Animal Welfare Court May 5.

Gila monsters are a protected species, considered “near threatened” and killing one is considered a crime under state law.

Crabtree, a 26-year-old who lives in Three Points, issued this statement to KGUN9 via the phone.

“I didn’t do it just to do it for fun. I did it to protect myself and my family. I saw it when I pulled up to my house. I didn’t know what to do, so I panicked. I went out there and killed it. It was on my property and I freaked out. I have dogs — small puppies — and an infant child, and I’m fighting to get my two other kids back. I have already had enough death threats.

“I didn’t realize they were protected. I don’t know anything about reptiles. I never studied them. I didn’t know it was illegal to kill them. If I knew, I wouldn’t have posted anything or done anything. I wish I hadn’t done any of it. I feel bad. I have apologized profusely to people. I feel bad for offending them and everything. I was still getting death threats before deactivating my Facebook. I got more than a dozen.”

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