OTTAWA – Two Ottawa men have been fined a total of $2,000 for offences under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, according to an early March news release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Enforcement Branch.
Francis Laplante pleaded guilty and was fined $1,500 for unlawfully discharging a firearm without reasonable consideration for property. Laplante’s hunting licence has been suspended for one year.
Patrick Yurkowski pleaded guilty and was fined $500 for unlawfully discharging a firearm without reasonable consideration for property. Yurkowski’s hunting licence has been suspended for eight months.
Both men received suspended sentences for unlawfully trespassing for the purpose of hunting and must complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course before being able to apply for another licence.
Court heard that on Nov. 8, 2017, Laplante and Yurkowski accessed a property in the Navan area of Ottawa to hunt and failed to obtain permission from the property owners to do so. Laplante shot and killed two pet pot bellied pigs on the front yard of the residence thinking they were wild boars. Yurkowski had assisted Laplante by transporting him to the property, pointing out the pigs, and thereafter helping load and transport the dead pigs.
Justice of the Peace Linda Pearson heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Ottawa, on Feb. 22.
To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
