An Essex man has been ordered to pay a $1,000 fine after pleading guilty to harassing and attempting to injure Canada geese at Belle River Marina. The incident, which occurred nearly a year ago, involved the man throwing large rocks at adult geese and capturing a gosling with his hands.
Incident Details
According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Provincial Police contacted conservation officers to investigate reports of goose harassment. With assistance from the public, officers identified the man who had caught a Canada goose gosling and attempted to harm adult geese by throwing rocks and swatting at them.
Canada geese are protected under federal law as migratory birds. The public is not permitted to capture or injure them.
Legal Outcome
The case was heard by a justice of the peace in the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor earlier this year. The man pleaded guilty to charges of capturing, harassing, and attempting to injure the protected birds.
Residents are encouraged to report natural resource violations by calling the Ministry of Natural Resources tip line at 1-877-847-7667. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. For more information on unsolved cases, visit ontario.ca/mnrtips.
