So the ordinance made killing Bigfoot a felony that carried a sentence of no more than a $10,000 fine and five years in jail. In 2008, cameras installed underwater seemed to show the silhouette of something that believers called the mysterious lake monster. The inquiries started with the Swedish government, who were looking to find out how Scotland was dealing with their lake monster. Their laws were echoed by similar legislation passed by the State of New York and the State of Vermont, making Champ a protected creature. It started with an inquiry to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, asking about the legalities of capturing or killing Bigfoot.