3 arrested near Minnetonka deer trap

Wednesday, February 21, 1996

The Minneapolis Star Tribune (MN)

By Doug Smith

Three animal-rights activists have been arrested in Minnetonka for allegedly violating an ordinance prohibiting people from interfering with the city's deer management program.

Bobbi Rudh, 47, and Cecelia Constantine, 59, both of Minnetonka, and Steven Hindi, 41, of Plano, Ill., were arrested at 3:30 a.m. Monday for being within 100 feet of a deer trap, police said.

Rudh and Constantine are members of Minnetonkans against Animal Cruelty (MAAC), which has vigorously opposed the city's deer management program. Hindi is president of the Chicago Animal rights Coalition.

Minnetonka is trying to reduce its deer population, estimated by city officials at about 600. The city has been trapping and shooting deer, and plans to remove 175 to 250 deer. MAAC claims that there are actually far fewer deer than that in the city and that the program is cruel and unneeded.

No traps were damaged, although police said they have been monitoring them because several have been tampered with and damaged. Police recovered video and electronic equipment, including some with night-vision capability, from the protesters' car.

"As much as the killers may hate it, video equipment is legal," Hindi said in a statement.

Said Police Chief Richard Setter: "I wish to emphasize that the city of Minnetonka certain supports our citizens' rights to disagree with their government and our deer management program. However, these arrests are for criminal activity, and clearly go beyond the right of democratic exercise of free speech."