Two Ranfurly farmers were fined in the Dunedin District Court
yesterday, and had their shotguns seized, after admitting
killing protected ducks on the first day of the duck-shooting
season in May.
Gavin James Crossan and Phillip Anthony Dowling (both 42)
were prosecuted by the Otago Fish and Game Council after
inspectors found them at ponds on Crossan's farm with nine
dead grey teal ducks each.
Similar in colour to common mallard duck game birds, grey
teals are "absolutely protected" under the Wildlife Act. The
maximum sentence for killing grey teals is six months' jail
or a $100,000 fine and $5000 per bird.
Appearing before Judge Geoff Rea, Crossan and Dowling were
fined $450 each, plus court costs of $130 each. Their
shotguns, valued at $800 each, were seized in May and an
order was made yesterday for them to be forfeited.
Prosecutor Jacob Smyth, of Invercargill, said Crossan told
the inspector in May he was responsible for shooting the grey
teals. Dowling told an inspector he thought he had shot
mallards.
The defendants' counsel, Nathan Laws, said both men were
remorseful about shooting the ducks. They were respected
farmers and citizens he said, producing letters from several
character witnesses.
• Lyall Rex William Ellison (22), unemployed, of Mosgiel, was
fined $450, court costs $130, for fishing without a licence.
An order was made for the forfeiture of his fishing gear.
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