Kevin21
04-17-2007, 08:36 AM
FRANK PEEBLES Citizen staff
(News) Tuesday, 17 April 2007, 03:00 PST http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/adserver/adlog.php?bannerid=161&clientid=126&zoneid=0&source=&block=0&capping=0&cb=7f35e36e0394e2c90050426473337d8f
Dirt-bike riders have been chasing moose in the UNBC area, according to one witness who contacted authorities about the matter.
Conservation officers are keeping close tabs on the steep greenbelt extending down into the south bowl area from the university.
It is an area frequented by moose and wildlife of all kinds even though it is well within city boundaries. It is also an area where dirt-biking and quad-riding goes on frequently, and conservation officer Gary Van Spengen said that alone is against the law. If wildlife harassment is added, the charges quickly mount for anyone caught doing it.
"The running of dirt bikes within the city limits is illegal whether or not there is any harassment of wildlife," Van Spengen said Monday.
A ticket can be issued to the rider on the spot for $345, but if the infraction is serious enough, Van Spengen said the option is open to charge a person with a formal offense that carries maximum penalties of a $50,000 fine and/or six months in jail.
Van Spengen said he would expect people to restrain themselves from inflicting wilful stress on an animal for humane reasons if not the threat of punishment.
"They (moose and other wildlife) have had a long, hard winter, they are ticked up right now (infested with ticks), and that kind of bother could be enough to push them over the edge and cause their death," Van Spengen said. "That is why it is illegal for people to allow their dogs to chase wildlife. The stress of the chase alone can kill a wild animal because they are still dealing with the effects of a long, hard winter that took a physical toll.
"The second obvious reason why is, it is dangers to do something like harass deer, moose, bear, because if need be they will defend themselves and you could be provoking an attack situation. Amazingly enough people don't realize that even deer can cause serious bodily harm." If people do see someone harassing wildlife, conservation officers would like to know about it as soon as possible. Report any wildlife issue to the provincial wildlife protection hotline: 1-877-952-7277.
I hope they get the *******s
(News) Tuesday, 17 April 2007, 03:00 PST http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/adserver/adlog.php?bannerid=161&clientid=126&zoneid=0&source=&block=0&capping=0&cb=7f35e36e0394e2c90050426473337d8f
Dirt-bike riders have been chasing moose in the UNBC area, according to one witness who contacted authorities about the matter.
Conservation officers are keeping close tabs on the steep greenbelt extending down into the south bowl area from the university.
It is an area frequented by moose and wildlife of all kinds even though it is well within city boundaries. It is also an area where dirt-biking and quad-riding goes on frequently, and conservation officer Gary Van Spengen said that alone is against the law. If wildlife harassment is added, the charges quickly mount for anyone caught doing it.
"The running of dirt bikes within the city limits is illegal whether or not there is any harassment of wildlife," Van Spengen said Monday.
A ticket can be issued to the rider on the spot for $345, but if the infraction is serious enough, Van Spengen said the option is open to charge a person with a formal offense that carries maximum penalties of a $50,000 fine and/or six months in jail.
Van Spengen said he would expect people to restrain themselves from inflicting wilful stress on an animal for humane reasons if not the threat of punishment.
"They (moose and other wildlife) have had a long, hard winter, they are ticked up right now (infested with ticks), and that kind of bother could be enough to push them over the edge and cause their death," Van Spengen said. "That is why it is illegal for people to allow their dogs to chase wildlife. The stress of the chase alone can kill a wild animal because they are still dealing with the effects of a long, hard winter that took a physical toll.
"The second obvious reason why is, it is dangers to do something like harass deer, moose, bear, because if need be they will defend themselves and you could be provoking an attack situation. Amazingly enough people don't realize that even deer can cause serious bodily harm." If people do see someone harassing wildlife, conservation officers would like to know about it as soon as possible. Report any wildlife issue to the provincial wildlife protection hotline: 1-877-952-7277.
I hope they get the *******s