New York Antique Dealer Faces Charges For Illegal Mountain Lion Head

Buyer Beware! Just because an item is listed for sale does not mean it is legal to sell it. The owner of a New York antique store has been charged with the illegal commercialization of a prohibited species, a mounted mountain lion head.

Although mountain lions haven't lived in New York State since the 1800's, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have laws that prohibit harming, possessing, or selling endangered or unprotected exotic wildlife, such as mountain lion, without specific authorization.

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I have spent a fair amount of time in antique shops, thrift stores, and flea markets throughout the Empire State and have seen just about anything you could imagine listed for sale. From medical equipment to adult diapers and false teeth, you know it's odd but you assume it's legal to sell.

On Wednesday July 29th, according to a DEC press release, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) responded to an antique store in the Town of Mamakating after receiving a tip from a frequent shopper about a mounted mountain lion head being offered for sale there.

dec.ny.gov

An undercover Officer located the mounted head in the back of the store and made a deal to purchase it just as a uniformed Officer responded to the location.

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Despite claims from the store owner and employee that they didn’t know it was illegal to sell the mountain lion head, the ECOs charged the owner with the illegal commercialization of a prohibited species.