Police take action over illegal hunting and trapping

The police have booked 67 cases involving illegal hunting and trapping since January 1, Assistant Police Commissioner Joe Brincat said yesterday.

Of the 67 cases, 41 were detected in the first three months, during the closed season, down from 69 in the corresponding period last year.

These cases, Mr Brincat said, will be taken to court.

Mr Brincat said that last month, the police detected 28 cases of illegal trapping during the closed season apart from other cases related to the possession of open compartment shotguns. There were 11 such cases in Gozo.

Mr Brincat, who was addressing the media during a briefing on police work to curb hunting abuse, said that since the open season started on April 10, the police had taken action in 26 cases - mostly related to the shooting of protected birds.

Other infringements were related to the use of high calibre lead and the use of open compartment shotguns that take more cartridges than the regulations allow.

Over 230 inspections were carried out against illegal hunting and trapping so far this year and the offenders will all be charged. It appears that none of the offences was committed in bird sanctuaries.

"The presence of the police in the countryside and the contribution being made by the hunters' association by appealing to members to observe the law, coupled with pressure by other entities, augurs well for a reduction of abuse," he said.

Mr Brincat noticed an encouraging public response to a police appeal to give information through freephone crime stopper 119, launched some weeks ago by Police Commissioner John Rizzo.

However, he added, the police would like the public to be more forthcoming.

Police Inspector Alex Miruzzi, from the administrative law enforcement unit, was present for the briefing.