No contest plea lands accused reindeer shooter in jail

PALMER -- A 20-year-old man pleaded no contest Friday to charges in the shooting of seven reindeer in January on Bodenburg Loop.

Caleb G. Bennett entered the pleas to third-degree criminal mischief, a class C felony; cruelty to animals; and fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons. The latter two are misdemeanors.

Bennett agreed to a year of prison time and to make restitution of $15,550 to Tom Williams, owner of the reindeer, according to Assistant District Attorney Richard Payne. Sentencing by Superior Court Judge Beverly Cutler is scheduled Feb. 9, 2004.

Five animals were killed and two were injured.

Alaska State Troopers said Bennett rode a snowmachine to Williams' Reindeer Farm the morning of Jan. 31, then escaped on the machine with Williams unsuccessfully giving chase. Williams fled the state to avoid arrest, troopers said, but turned himself in to authorities in mid-April.

He originally was charged with five counts of third-degree criminal mischief, seven counts of cruelty to animals, and one count of misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree.

"We feel like we dismissed no charges, they were just consolidated," Payne said. Williams said Friday afternoon that the restitution amount is fair, given what the reindeer are sold for. However, he said the loss goes beyond dollar value.

"He killed the very best we had," Williams said, explaining that only select animals were capable of performing calmly for groups of children at Christmastime.

Williams said it was like losing members of the family.

"Nobody will ever replace little Mary," he said. "It just breaks your heart."