COFFEE COUNTY NEWS (Douglas, Georgia) 06 January 05 DNR to Winston Wright: "We consider this case closed"
According to a letter addressed to Winston Wright and dated November 29, 2004, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has closed its alligator farming case against Wright.
The letter is signed by Assistant Director Todd Holbrook, and states the following: "Although we removed the alligators from the ponds near your home, it is probable that wild alligators will make it back into these habitats. Please understand that wild alligators may not be possessed by private citizens. As such, your fences may not be repaired or constructed so that wild alligators are confined. Also, it is unlawful to feed wild alligators and the Department cannot allow feeding to resume, as it would create another problem similar to the one recently corrected."
The letter also states that Winston Wright may sell the right to hunt alligators on his land during alligator hunting season, but reminds him "you are not selling the alligators, only the right to hunt them. Given these restrictions, we consider this case closed unless violations occur in the future."
Wright was also told that he could apply for an alligator farming permit from the DNR should he "decide to pursue legal alligator farming."
In early November, DNR officials, along with representatives from other agencies, confiscated or killed 119 alligators from Winston Wright’s property. The DNR alleged that Wright had been operating an illegal alligator farm, while Wright maintains that the animals were wrongly removed. The details of the case were outlined in the November 26 and December 3 editions of the Coffee County News.
DNR to Winston Wright: "We consider this case closed"