Preserve owner fined in escape of wild coyote
The escape of coyotes from a Millersburg wildlife preserve spelled heavy fines and restitution for its owner.
Albert D. Hershberger, 64, 4603 Township Road 302, was sentenced Sept. 28 in Holmes County Municipal Court to fines and restitution of $3,110 on two counts of possessing a fur bearing animal without a permit and four counts of duty to report escaped animals.
Municipal Court Judge Jane Irving further sentenced Hershberger to three years probation. The terms of his probation include provisions that Hershberger not possess coyotes and open his preserve to inspection when requested by law enforcement.
The charges stem from June 10, when Hershberger failed to report the escape of at least three coyotes from his privately owned game preserve. According to Ohio Division of Wildlife District 3 wildlife investigator Brett Barnes, two of the coyotes were acquired legally by Hershberger from a wild game propagator. At least one more, however, was acquired illegally, caught from the wild in a snare.
The wild coyote was caught in Tuscarawas County and three individuals in Tuscawaras County were charged in connection with the investigation. The wild coyote was believed to have been transported to Holmes County March 1.
The coyotes are believed to have killed a pet dog, tame rabbit and some baby chickens. The victims of the coyote attacks claimed $1,710 in damages.
Hershberger said the coyotes were used to train dogs to hunt wild coyotes, which pose a predatory risk to livestock. He said he was unaware it is illegal to keep coyotes snared in the wild.
Coyotes can be legally acquired through a licensed coyote propagator.
Also charged in the investigation were Freeman D. Miller, 49, 6690 County Road 407, Millersburg, and Marcus D. Miller, 46, 3766 County Road 141, Sugarcreek. Freeman Miller pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a fur bearing animal without a permit and Marcus Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of the same charge. They were fined August 10 by Irving.
Freeman D. Miller said he has hunted coyotes for local farmers for years.
Possessing a fur bearing animal without a permit is a fourth-degree misdemeanor and carries up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. Duty to report escaped animals is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Albert D. Hershberger, 64, 4603 Township Road 302, was sentenced Sept. 28 in Holmes County Municipal Court to fines and restitution of $3,110 on two counts of possessing a fur bearing animal without a permit and four counts of duty to report escaped animals.
Municipal Court Judge Jane Irving further sentenced Hershberger to three years probation. The terms of his probation include provisions that Hershberger not possess coyotes and open his preserve to inspection when requested by law enforcement.
The charges stem from June 10, when Hershberger failed to report the escape of at least three coyotes from his privately owned game preserve. According to Ohio Division of Wildlife District 3 wildlife investigator Brett Barnes, two of the coyotes were acquired legally by Hershberger from a wild game propagator. At least one more, however, was acquired illegally, caught from the wild in a snare.
The wild coyote was caught in Tuscarawas County and three individuals in Tuscawaras County were charged in connection with the investigation. The wild coyote was believed to have been transported to Holmes County March 1.
The coyotes are believed to have killed a pet dog, tame rabbit and some baby chickens. The victims of the coyote attacks claimed $1,710 in damages.
Hershberger said the coyotes were used to train dogs to hunt wild coyotes, which pose a predatory risk to livestock. He said he was unaware it is illegal to keep coyotes snared in the wild.
Coyotes can be legally acquired through a licensed coyote propagator.
Also charged in the investigation were Freeman D. Miller, 49, 6690 County Road 407, Millersburg, and Marcus D. Miller, 46, 3766 County Road 141, Sugarcreek. Freeman Miller pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a fur bearing animal without a permit and Marcus Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of the same charge. They were fined August 10 by Irving.
Freeman D. Miller said he has hunted coyotes for local farmers for years.
Possessing a fur bearing animal without a permit is a fourth-degree misdemeanor and carries up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. Duty to report escaped animals is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Published: October 20, 2011
