BOZEMAN — Two suspects have been identified in connection with a break-in and vandalism incident at the National Fish Hatchery in Ennis.
Around 30 fish were brutally killed when the facility was vandalized in October.
Authorities said that two people were seen "recklessly" driving a yellow ATV around the fish hatchery some time on Sunday, October 27. Between the time when they were there and when they left, employees at the hatchery notified their manager that someone had vandalized the property and killed numerous fish.
The Sheriff’s Office said around 30 fish were killed, some even reported to have been bludgeoned to death.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says after a recent MTN News article spread the word about the incident, tips led them to two juvenile suspects.
The two are reportedly not residents of Madison County; they face charges including felony aggravated cruelty to animals, and two misdemeanors of criminal mischief, and youth in need of intervention.
Officials say the investigation is still underway; the names of the two juveniles have not been released at this point.
According to Montana Code Annotated, "Youth in need of intervention" means a youth who is adjudicated as a youth and who:
- (a) commits an offense prohibited by law that if committed by an adult would not constitute a criminal offense, including but not limited to a youth who:
- (i) violates any Montana municipal or state law regarding alcoholic beverages; or
- (ii) continues to exhibit behavior, including running away from home or habitual truancy, beyond the control of the youth's parents, foster parents, physical custodian, or guardian despite the attempt of the youth's parents, foster parents, physical custodian, or guardian to exert all reasonable efforts to mediate, resolve, or control the youth's behavior; or
- (b) has committed any of the acts of a delinquent youth but whom the youth court, in its discretion, chooses to regard as a youth in need of intervention.
From the official website of the Ennis National Fish Hatchery :
Ennis produces about 20 million rainbow trout eggs annually for research facilities, universities and federal, state and tribal hatcheries in 23 states. As a result of the Ennis Broodstock Program, economic benefits weigh-in at 5 million angler days, generating $50 million per year. To meet the trout production demands, Ennis NFH facilities include 38 hatchery tanks, 48 circular tanks, and 36 raceways.
The hatchery also produces 350,000 fingerling rainbow trout for the state of Montana which are stocked in Montana lakes and reservoirs. After 3 or 4 years, broodstock (the adult fish that provide eggs) are “retired” and stocked into public waters in Montana's urban and youth programs. Ennis NFH continues to be whirling disease free, with spring and raceway covers to ensure its disease-free status.
