Walter James Palmer, Killer Of Cecil The Lion, Has Felony Record For Killing Bear

The American dentist who has been indicated in the slaying of Cecil, a famous favorite lion of tourists and locals in Zimbabwe, Africa, has been in trouble for hunting game illegally before — a license violation in shooting a bear in Wisconsin in 2006.

As reported previously by the Inquisitr, the man paid fifty-five thousand dollars for the “tour” that landed him the hide of the lion after a gruesome hunt.

As for Cecil the Lion, who was living on a game preserve in Africa, the dentist who killed him had hired Zimbabwe “guides” — now wanted for poaching — and suffered a horrific death that spanned about 48 hours, beginning with him being lured from the game preserve, shot with a bow and arrow, which severely injured him but didn’t kill him, stalked for another forty hours before being shot, and then his body was skinned and beheaded. His death has sparked world-wide outrage and has caused serious criminal and personal problems for the dentist who shot him.

Walter James Parker, DDS, abruptly closed his office in Minneapolis after several stuffed lions were left outside, according to Radar Online. He states he hired the guides to help him hunt the big game and did not know he was breaking any laws. If true, at best, it could be said that according to his history, he has no understanding of hunting laws.

Outrage against the man has been tremendous with many people calling him “mental.” This may or may not be fact, as the unlawful torture and harming of animals has been indicated as a symptom of several sociopathic psychiatric problems. According to NBC News, following the lion killing, court documents emerged showing Palmer was fined $3,000 and given a year’s probation after pleading guilty over the illegal killing of a black bear in Wisconsin in 2006.

Palmer was charged with knowingly a making false statement to an agent of the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, having “falsely stated that he thought the bear had been killed legally” during interviews with officials the next month, even though he knew the bear was killed forty miles outside the legal hunting zone.

And unfortunately, his illegal and concerning activities don’t stop with animals. Palmer agreed to pay a former receptionist at his dental office $127,000 in 2006 due to sexual harassment complaints, according to the Associated Press.

Palmer spoke to NBC News regarding the situation.

“I have not been contacted by authorities in Zimbabwe or in the U.S. about this situation, but will assist them in any inquiries they may have.”

What are your thoughts on Walter James Palmer? What punishment is fitting of this crime?

[Photo Courtesy Of BBC / Facebook]