Clay pigeon champion shoots himself in the foot

Malta's clay pigeon champion William Chetcuti was fined Lm50 by the court after he pleaded guilty to being in possession of an electronic bird caller, the possession and use of which is illegal.

Mr Chetcuti was charged by Inspector Alexander Miruzzi, who heads the police administrative law enforcement unit, which carries out patrols for illegal hunting.

Mr Chetcuti was found in possession of the electronic bird caller in a hide while hunting late last year. He pleaded guilty to the charges and, apart from the fine, also had the bird caller confiscated.

Mr Chetcuti has been chosen as Malta's flag-bearer for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and has now established an unprecedented record of having four consecutive Sportsman of the Year titles.

Police officers from the ALE unit yesterday apprehended two hunters at St Thomas Bay and Birzebbuga who allegedly were in possession of shotguns when the hunting season is still closed. The two hunters were allegedly eyeing Marsh Harriers spotted in the area.

ALE policemen last year prosecuted 96 hunters for hunting illegally on land, 20 for infringing hunting regulations at sea, 40 for breaching trapping regulations and 144 were prosecuted for violating the arms and weapons ordinances. In 2004, a total of 563 hunters were prosecuted for infringing hunting regulations, 256 more than last year.

Due to a shortage in the number of officers, the ALE have been assigned a host of other duties including assisting the Criminal Investigations Department's mobile squad.