COMMUNITY PRESS (Stirling, Ontario) 13 April 06 Jail and fines for poaching turtles and frogs
A Markham man who failed to appear in court on charges of illegally capturing frogs and snapping turtles has been sentenced to 25 days in jail and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Pak Chung, 53, who was also fined $11,900, was convicted of illegally hunting, capturing and transporting wildlife. He was banned from fishing or being with anyone who is fishing for 15 years. Court heard Chung has not paid $16,000 in fines for previous similar offences.
A co-accused, who was in court, Kit Wong, 45, of Toronto, was fined $1,800 and had his fishing equipment seized permanently. He pleaded guilty to illegally possessing and transporting wildlife and making a false statement to a conservation officer.
A boat and other equipment seized by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers have been forfeited to the Crown.
The charges arose from an investigation of the illegal harvesting of snapping turtles and green frogs conducted by conservation officers from Peterborough.
Court heard that on July 13, 2005, the two men were caught with three snapping turtles and two green frogs on East Cross Creek, in Kawartha Lakes, near Janetville. Another ten turtles were found on set lines.
The men were using heavy monofilament line with a single large hook baited with meat or fish parts. They tied the lines to clumps of grass on the river banks. Returning to the river after the arrests, officers found 30 set lines.
Justice of the Peace Brian Norton heard the case March 24, 2006, in the Ontario Court of Justice, Lindsay.
Jail and fines for poaching turtles and frogs