If you're a zebra in Texas, watch your back...something I didn't expect to write...

[Lobster Martini]

Good thing that Texas allows unlicensed and unregistered rifles and shotguns. God knows how many unarmed kids in cars would otherwise be killed by vicious grazing zebras.

Memo to the camels and lemurs--don't sit with your backs to the door.

Texan Accused in Shooting Death of Zebra

RED OAK, Texas — An 18-year-old man was arrested Friday and accused of killing a zebra named Zambi in a drive-by shooting.

Zambi was shot dead July 5 as he grazed in a pasture at HiView Farms outside of Waxahachie, about 30 miles from Dallas, said Lt. Kevin Ketchum of the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. The farm is also home to camels, llamas and ring-tailed lemurs.

<snip>

Joshua Romano and four friends were swimming in a creek but had to leave because of rain. They spotted the zebra as they were driving down a road near the farm. That's when Romano pulled out a deer rifle and shot Zambi dead, Ketchum said. The animal was worth about $10,000.

Romano's friends tried to prevent him from shooting the zebra, and the driver sped up to make the shooting more difficult, Ketchum said.

<snip>

I believe this to be correct, but I admit that my source is not always reliable, or even sober:

Texas firearms laws, state requirements, rifles and shotguns

• Permit to purchase rifles and shotguns? No.
  
  
• Registration of rifles and shotguns? No.
  
  
• Licensing of owners of rifles and shotguns? No.
  
  
• Permit to carry rifles and shotguns? No.

Guess the zebra was grazing aggressively. Otherwise, a harmless animal was killed for no particular reason by a kid with a weapon unencumbered by licensing or registration requirements.

[Ghost in the Machine]

1. I read about that the other night. There's stupid people everywhere

The saddest part is that somewhere, someone is going to call this asshole a "hunter". This wasn't a hunter, this was just an asshole with a gun... big difference. He should be fined in the same amount that the zebra was worth plus have to pay the ranch owner the same amount.

[EV_Ares]

3. Agree, and I think everyone in the car should have to pay a price

as well. This might deter something like this in the future by peer pressure. This kid was an asshole before he shot the zebra and they all knew it. There is probably some CYA involved as well.

[mcscajun]

10. I agree. Plus do some community service working with animals.

This asshole clearly has no heart for our four-legged brethren.

Children/teens who abuse, torture or kill animals quite often go on to commit acts of violence against people. This guy needs a lot of help, but still he should pay up in more ways than one.

[hobbit709]

2. Don't blame Texas laws

Not even New York state requires that(except NYC). It was an assholish thing to do but crazy things with guns happen everywhere.

[havocmom]

4. Parenting more to blame than laws in this one (n/t)

[hobbit709]

5. Agreed

If I had even THOUGHT of doing something like this I would have been whopped silly.

[mcscajun]

6. Link to the rest of the story?

:hi:

[billbuckhead]

7. Once again, guns prove to be criminals favorite weapon

Been hard to do this with a knife.

[havocmom]

8. It does start with THE CRIMINAL

There are enough laws, but those damned criminals keep breaking them.

Time to register and control THE CRIMINALS

[billbuckhead]

13. Why let criminals have such easy and cheap access to the most powerful weapons?

USA leads all similar nations in murder by multiples, it's a well known fact, I don't think that's because we have the best policies.

[Lobster Martini]

9. Sorry, I omitted the link...here it is ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070714/ap_on_re_us/zebra_shooting_2

The incident was reported elsewhere--it is not hard to find news about zebras killed in drive-by shootings.

[mcscajun]

11. Thanks.

Would that it were impossible to find such a story, eh? :(

This guy is pathetic, and needs to pay up big time.

[benEzra]

12. Ummm...name five states that DO require license and registration for rifles and shotguns.

Good thing that Texas allows unlicensed and unregistered rifles and shotguns. God knows how many unarmed kids in cars would otherwise be killed by vicious grazing zebras.

Ummm...name five states that DO require license and registration for rifles and shotguns.

Massachusetts, right? Maybe Illinois?

Only two I can think of.

And, if that was a deer rifle, then the kid probably DID obtain a state hunting license in the past, unless he was a habitual poacher.