Trinity man receives jail sentence for harassing moose

Anthony Norris, 25, of Trinity, Bonavista Bay, was recently convicted in Provincial Court at Gander for violations under the Wildlife Act. Mr. Norris was found guilty of charges relating to operating a snowmobile to harass wildlife and hunting big game without a valid licence. Justice Gloria Harding sentenced Mr. Norris to two months in jail for the offences, placed him on probation for a period of two years and also instructed him to seek counselling.

Charges were laid against Mr. Norris after an investigation in March 2005 by conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources in response to a complaint that alleged a moose had been struck by a snowmobile and subsequently killed in the Indian Bay area. The investigation revealed that Mr. Norris chased an adult female moose, striking the animal several times with a snowmobile and breaking the animal�s hind legs. After injuring the animal, Mr. Norris proceeded to jump on the animal�s back and bludgeoned it to death with an axe.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Harding indicated that the crime committed by Mr. Norris was one of the most horrendous and heinous acts she had ever heard of during all her years in the legal system.

The charges and resulting convictions in this case were made possible, in large part, as a result of support provided to conservation officers by the public. Conservation officers indicated the willingness of the public to provide statements and testify in court proved to be invaluable in this case.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624, carmelturpin@gov.nl.ca

2006 01 05        12:20 p.m.