People have been left furious after finding out that a hunter who killed a husky and posed with its bloody body was recently given a light sentence.
Amber Rose Barnes from Martin City in Montana pleaded no contest after she was charged with animal cruelty back in October last year, per the Daily Mail.
Just a month prior, the female hunter had taken to Facebook to boast about the killing, even posting photos of the Siberian husky pup's body while she smiled up at the camera.
Alongside a few more graphic snapshots, she wrote: "So this morning I set out for a solo predator hunt for a fall black bear however I got the opportunity to take another predator wolf pup 2022 was a great feeling to text my man and say I just smoked a wolf pup #firstworld #onelesspredatorMT."
After being attacked online, she defended her actions via a Facebook post, stating that she would make the same kill twice to defend herself against an animal that she allegedly described as "aggressive."
"During this time, safety was my top priority this animal was growling howling and coming at me like it was going to eat me," she wrote before adding: "Yes I made a mistake...either way yes I would still have shot it because it was aggressive and coming directly for me!"
The Daily Mail reported that at the time, her husband Frank Tallent, also came to her defense, posting a more explicit message to aid his wife against the backlash.
"It was a deer chasing [feral] a** dog [in] the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. "So if you wanna be a bunch of cry baby a** f****** sheep keep going cause we really don't give two f**** about what's going on or what's being said.
"You cry baby motherf****** and for any other hunters who wanna talk s*** saying it looks bad, he said, 'we'll [sic] f****** s*** it does you stupid mother f****** but mistakes happen."
He then doubled down on it, writing: "Mistakes happen, big f****** deal. Ya my girl friend was out hunting and shot a f****** dog that was dumped out in the woods."
According to a statement released by authorities, the abandoned wolf pup turned out to be one of 11 that were later taken to an animal shelter to be checked over.
Speaking of the incident, Leslie Williams, co-founder of the #RelistWolves Campaign and RelistWolves.org told World Animal News the following: "What is shocking about this story isn’t just that she killed and skinned a dog, it’s that she posted the story expecting this to be celebrated. There is an entire sub-culture of radical wolf haters in the Northern Rockies, and sadly, those states’ laws allow them to hunt without any regard for ethical norms."
In the end, the 36-year-old pleaded no-contest to the charges and received a deferred sentence.
After further investigation, it was confirmed that she did in fact have a hunting license that made the kill legal - in the state of Montana, an individual is allowed to legally kill or trap 20 wolves a season.
However, Barnes was forced to submit to a punishment that requires her to attend a "hunting safety class" and during that six-month period, she will also not be allowed to use her rifle.
The news of the punishment did not sit well with social media users who believed that justice was not served in this case.
"I would disown any one who could do this..." wrote one user while another urged that "her hunting rights should be revoked... PERIOD."
And this user stated that hunters tend to hold back from taking a shot when they're unsure of what the target is.
"I’ll be honest, I’ve almost shot a dog when I was out coyote hunting," the user recalled. "I was looking through the scope and it sure as heck looked like a yote but something was telling me to wait and I’m glad I did, it turned its head and I saw the bright color of the collar under the fur. Turns out it was a mutt from a farm a few miles down the road that had wondered off.
"She knew what she was doing. You ask any real hunter and they will tell you that if they are not 100% sure they won’t take the shot," they added.
"Thats ridiculous! Animal abuse is a felony in all 50 states! Why aren't the laws being inforced, [sic]" said another concerned Facebook user.
"If she can’t tell the difference between a domestic dog and a wolf she should never hunt again. She should also be charged," slammed another.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks confirmed to Fox News that Barnes had purchased the appropriate license and currently there will be no further charges will be held against her.
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