The Penalties for Wounding or Killing an American Bald Eagle in Kentucky

Out where I live, I see large birds of prey all the time, but they're mostly hawks of one variety or another. Regardless, it's made me very interested in their behaviors, habits, and diets. What I've only seen one time, and it swooped across the road in front of me, is an American bald eagle. It was breathtaking.

And, with regards to bald eagles, Sunday's Super Bowl provided us with the opportunity to learn something cool about them and our city of Owensboro. An eagle in one of the Super Bowl commercials was trained by an Owensboro resident.

Bald Eagle Euthanized in Eastern Kentucky

They're beautiful, fascinating animals, and they are protected by law, as well they should be; they're the symbols of our country. But, illegal or not, I never like seeing the kind of story that came out of Russell County, Kentucky, last week. On February 2nd, an injured bald eagle had to be euthanized. Discovered by Lake Cumberland State Resort Park troopers, the creature's injuries from a gunshot wound were too severe for veterinarians to save it.

The Penalties for Wounding or Killing an American Bald Eagle

How protected by law are American bald eagles? Depending on the circumstances, you don't even have to wound or kill one to face stiff federal penalties under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. If you merely secure feathers, nests, or eggs without express permission from the Secretary of the Interior, you will face punishment.

The Act covers everything from illegal procurement to acts of violence like wounding, killing, or even just shooting at an American bald eagle. The penalty for a first-time offense can be a fine of up to $100,000 and up to a year in prison. Subsequent offenses would lead to even greater penalties, as you can imagine.

So far, no arrests have been announced in connection to the shooting of the eagle.