Teondre Williams, Michael Dunigan and Josh Crittle have received a team punishment of 15 hours each of community service after being cited on March 30 for misdemeanor charges of hunting in a public park after shooting pellet guns at ducks and geese in Alton Baker Park.
The punishment came from Oregon head basketball coach Ernie Kent, and the athletic department approached Greenhill Humane Society, its executive director said. Any punishment from the court will come when the players appear at Eugene Municipal Court on April 17.
The players, all 19 years old and who finished their freshman season in March, began working at Greenhill last Friday, according to Greenhill Executive Director Cary Lieberman, who says the three will also attend a Humane Education class. The players are expected to be working every Friday at the humane society.
“We’re having them do our normal community service routine, which is primarily kennel cleaning, cattery cleaning and yard maintenance,” Lieberman said.
Greenhill was chosen because of its “focus on respect and compassion for animals” said a release from the Oregon athletic department.
Although Greenhill frequently accepts volunteers who are court-appointed, the humane society does not usually accept volunteer workers who have been charged with violence against animals or humans, Lieberman said, because its primary mission is to find homes for animals.
“It’s a little unique for us,” Lieberman said. “We think it’s a great opportunity to reach some people that have shown some violence against animals, and who are also clearly very apologetic and very understanding.”
Police reports indicate no ducks or geese were injured by the shots.
“I think it is paramount that our players understand the significance of caring for animals, and how important that is to our community,” Kent said. “The coach in me hopes that we will never have a situation like this again. The parent in me hopes our players have learned a valuable lesson.”
