By: Associated Press//February 24, 2011//
WAUPACA, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court has reinstated animal cruelty charges against two men accused of fatally hitting deer with their snowmobiles in 2009.
A Waupaca County judge earlier dismissed the charges, saying they contradicted the state hunting law.
However, in a 13-page decision issued Thursday, the District 4 appeals court reinstated the charges and directed court officials to proceed with the prosecution of Rory and Robby Kuenzi.
Four deer were found dead along a snowmobile trail south of Waupaca in January 2009. A fifth deer had to be euthanized.
WLUK-TV reports a third man, Nicholas Hermes, also faces animal cruelty charges. Prosecution of Hermes was put on hold pending the Kuenzis’ appeal.
The Kuenzis’ attorneys did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com