Justice and Public Safety
March 20, 2015

Investigation into Serious Incident Leads to Conviction

On October 14, 2013, officers with the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division of the Department of Justice and Public Safety received a complaint from a concerned motorist that someone had improperly discharged a firearm on the Trans-Canada Highway near Bishop�s Falls. As a result of the investigation, the individual was arrested and charged with several offences.

In Provincial Court in Grand Falls-Windsor on March 11, 2015, Ryan Singh of Botwood pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced for illegal big game hunting and firearms related offences. It was determined that Mr. Singh had shot at a moose from the side of the highway while sitting in his vehicle by discharging the firearm from the driver�s seat and through the passenger window, while another individual was sitting in the passenger seat.

As a result of Mr. Singh�s conviction, he received a $1,000 fine for hunting big game without a valid licence and a $500 fine for discharging a firearm from a vehicle. Mr. Singh was also sentenced to four months of house arrest for the careless use of a firearm, which is an offence under the Criminal Code. In addition, Mr. Singh has been prohibited from applying for or holding a big game licence for a period of five years and was also given a two year prohibition from possessing any firearm or ammunition. A firearm, quantity of ammunition and a hunting knife were forfeited to the Crown.

Officers of the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division of the Department of Justice and Public Safety would like to remind the public that shooting at wildlife from within a vehicle is extremely dangerous and against the law.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to protecting the province�s resources and to ensuring that they remain available for those who respect legislation concerning the proper management and conservation of fish and game. The public can play a significant role in assisting officers in protecting the province�s natural resources by reporting any suspicious activity. This can be done anonymously and toll-free at any time of the day, by calling 1-877-820-0999, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous online reports can also be submitted at www.stoppoaching.ca or www.nlcrimestoppers.com.

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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

2015 03 20                             3:20 p.m.