> There are enormous fines for shooting a river otter. Did your neighbor
> get slapped with a huge fine (I HOPE)??

In Washington, there is a specific legal exemption which provides for
the killing of most wildlife when they are doing damage to property.
There are reporting requirements and such and some statements about
getting permission ahead of time unless it is an emergency but,
nevertheless, this particular situation may have been legal.

Kelly McAllister