No, you can’t dump a dead bear in Central Park, NYC lists legal options

Aug 06, 2024

Jack Aylmer Anchor

By Jack Aylmer (Anchor), Evan Hummel (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, it was revealed that Independent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not face charges for dumping a dead bear in Central Park a decade ago. Dumping roadkill in the park was illegal, but the statute of limitations for the alleged crime expired years ago.

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However, the admission has garnered a lot of reaction on social media. The New York City Sanitation Department also chimed in, advising people on ways to properly dispose of dead animals. RFK Jr.’s way is not one of the recommended procedures.

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Instead, the city listed other solutions for disposing of animal carcasses, like calling 311 if a person finds a dead animal on public property. If the animal is on a person’s property, the city said that they should throw out the dead animal with their garbage, just make sure that it is labeled. The New York City Department of Sanitation posted some more humorous label options as well. However, if the animal had rabies or bit someone, the city said that a person is required to report that.

Now, if Kennedy admitted to his so-called prank at the time of disposing of the bear, he reportedly could have faced several charges including illegal possession of a bear without a tag or permit and illegal disposal of a bear. Both violations carry fines of around $250 for first time offenses.

Kennedy said that he did not have time to dispose of the bear carcass because he was running short on time to catch his plane at the airport. However, disposing of the bear in Central Park was not his only option. New York City reportedly has Animal Care Centers of NYC drop-off locations. The reported cost to cremate an animal is $50, far less than the $250 fine that Kennedy could have faced.

Tags: 2024 Elections, Crime, Donald Trump, Election, Joe Biden, New York, New York City, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Wildlife

[JACK AYLMER]

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ROBERT F KENNEDY JUNIOR WILL NOT FACE CHARGES AFTER ADMITTING PICKING UP A BEAR CARCASS OFF THE ROAD AND THEN DISPOSING OF IT IN NEW YORK CITY’S MOST ICONIC PARK A DECADE AGO.

[ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.]

“I SAID LET’S GO PUT THE BEAR IN CENTRAL PARK. AND WE’LL MAKE IT LOOK LIKE HE GOT HIT BY A BIKE.”

[JACK AYLMER]

TO BE CLEAR– DUMPING THE ROADKILL IN THE PARK WAS ILLEGAL– BUT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS EXPIRED YEARS AGO.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THE STORY GARNERED A LOT OF REACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

INCLUDING FROM THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION– WHICH IS NOW ADVISING PEOPLE ON WAYS TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF DEAD ANIMALS.

AND NO– R-F-K JUNIOR’S WAY IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

THE CITY LISTS OTHER SOLUTIONS–

LIKE CALLING 3-1-1 IF YOU FIND A CARCASS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.

IF IT’S BLOCKING THE ROAD– LIKE IN KENNEDY’S CASE– CALL 9-1-1.

IF IT’S ON YOUR PROPERTY– NEW YORK CITY SAYS YOU SHOULD THROW OUT THE DEAD ANIMAL WITH YOUR GARBAGE. MAKE SURE IT’S LABELED THOUGH– FOR EXAMPLE: “DEAD DOG” — “DEAD CAT” OR “DEAD BEAR” — OR MAYBE THE OPTIONS IN THIS POST BY N-Y-C SANITATION.

UNLESS THE ANIMAL HAD RABIES OR BIT A PERSON BEFORE IT DIED — YOU’LL NEED TO REPORT THAT.

NOW, IF KENNEDY WOULD’VE ADMITTED TO HIS SO-CALLED PRANK AT THE TIME– HE COULD’VE FACED SEVERAL CHARGES.

INCLUDING ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A BEAR WITHOUT A TAG OR PERMIT AND ILLEGAL DISPOSAL OF A BEAR

BOTH VIOLATIONS CARRY FINES OF AROUND 250 DOLLARS FOR FIRST OFFENSE.

KENNEDY’S EXCUSE?

[ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR]

I COULDN’T GO HOME. I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE AIRPORT. AND THE BEAR WAS IN MY CAR AND I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE THE BEAR IN THE CAR. BECAUSE THAT WOULD’VE BEEN BAD.

[JACK AYLMER]

THAT DOESN’T GET HIM OFF THE HOOK.

NEW YORK CITY REPORTEDLY HAS “ANIMAL CARE CENTERS OF N-Y-C” DROP OFF LOCATIONS. IT’S ONLY 50 BUCKS TO CREMATE AN ANIMAL– A LOT CHEAPER THAN A 250 DOLLAR FINE.

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