D
Dej
Guest
The bullet, is mightier than the beak
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/01/20/1106110876773.html
A feisty magpie picked the wrong person to swoop when it menaced the son of
a Victorian policeman in his backyard on New Year's Day.
The suburban constable says he got his high-powered .22 rifle and killed the
bird.
Now the policeman, from Diamond Creek, is under investigation for
discharging a firearm in a built-up area and may face wildlife offences.
Animal activists are outraged over the death of the bird. Magpies are
protected.
The incident was reported to the police force's ethical standards department
after the off-duty officer's neighbour heard gunshots.
A police spokeswoman said yesterday that the officer had been questioned
about discharging a firearm in a populous place, but no disciplinary action
had been taken. It is not known whether he will face criminal charges.
Ron Waters, the manager of flora and fauna compliance at the Department of
Sustainability and Environment, said magpies were protected and it was
illegal to deliberately kill them without a permit or authority. Doing so
carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or a $5000 fine.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/01/20/1106110876773.html
A feisty magpie picked the wrong person to swoop when it menaced the son of
a Victorian policeman in his backyard on New Year's Day.
The suburban constable says he got his high-powered .22 rifle and killed the
bird.
Now the policeman, from Diamond Creek, is under investigation for
discharging a firearm in a built-up area and may face wildlife offences.
Animal activists are outraged over the death of the bird. Magpies are
protected.
The incident was reported to the police force's ethical standards department
after the off-duty officer's neighbour heard gunshots.
A police spokeswoman said yesterday that the officer had been questioned
about discharging a firearm in a populous place, but no disciplinary action
had been taken. It is not known whether he will face criminal charges.
Ron Waters, the manager of flora and fauna compliance at the Department of
Sustainability and Environment, said magpies were protected and it was
illegal to deliberately kill them without a permit or authority. Doing so
carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or a $5000 fine.