This is just sick.
Let me make this clear… there is NEVER a circumstance where you should treat an animal with cruelty, especially when you’re literally on the job.
With that being said, this garbage truck driver did just that, as video footage is going viral for all the wrong reasons of someone driving a garbage truck in Anchorage, Alaska chasing down a moose that is quite literally running for its life.
In the video, you can see the moose sprinting away, as the garbage truck driver follows closely behind and honks their horn.
In Alaska, it’s fairly common to see moose in neighborhoods, and granted, they can be dangerous to people… but this isn’t the answer. Distressing the wild animal? C’mon dude… a scared moose is a more dangerous moose. Not to mention, the driver was driving recklessly through a residential area in the snow, which could’ve potentially been dangerous for residents as well.
Northern Waste (the company in which the garbage truck is owned) announced via Facebook that the issue has been brought to their attention, and they’ve fired the driver:
“As previously posted, it has been brought to our attention that a Northern Waste driver was caught driving recklessly through a neighborhood today harassing a moose running down the street.
This person is NO LONGER EMPLOYED by Northern Waste.
We are Alaskans and we will not tolerate this behavior, recklessness & cruelty. This is the first time anything like this has happened and we are committed to making sure this will never happen again. We promise to uphold our Alaskan values in all business practices.
We have contacted Alaska Department of Fish & Game and are implementing further wildlife sensitivity & safety training for all drivers.”
According to Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Wildlife troopers cited 55-year-old driver Virgo Banks for violating a state statute that prohibits unlawful hunting methods, which includes using a motorized vehicle to chase down wildlife.
Alaska Wildlife spokesperson Austin McDaniel told the outlet that a judge will determine any fines associated with the driver’s actions. These fines range from $300 to $500.
