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Charge laid in caribou wastage Warrant issued for arrest of Gameti man; more charges may be laid
Renewable resources officer Ian Ellsworth displays some of the wasted caribou meat discovered near Gameti in April. These 25 front shoulders were found near Hottah Lake, about 90 km northwest of Gameti. This was not the only meat found at this site, and this was just one of 12 sites where wasted caribou parts were found by Environment and Natural Resources officers, said Ellsworth. - photo courtesy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources |
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 26, 2013
GAMETI/RAE LAKES
A Gameti hunter has been charged with wasting caribou meat this past spring.
Johnny Washie, 65, failed to appear in court on Aug. 20, to pay a $575 fine issued to him by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR).
He is the first person charged in the incident of caribou meat wastage reported last spring. Parts of at least 50 animals were found near Hottah Lake, outside Gameti, by ENR officials between April 24 and April 27.
Washie's offence date is listed as April 23 on court documents.
In an e-mail, Judy McLinton, spokesperson for ENR, said the department's investigation is ongoing and there may be more charges laid.
ENR officers located 12 different sites of animal parts last spring. They suspect more than one individual was involved in the crimes. ENR can issue tickets of $575 for wasting big game meat, or charge individuals up to $1,000 and one year in jail.
McLinton stated the department has one year to complete its investigation.
News/North attempted to contact Washie but was unable to reach him for comment in time for press.
Judge Christine Gagnon issued an arrest warrant for Washie on Aug. 20 after he failed to appear in Yellowknife's territorial court to pay his fine.
Washie is scheduled to appear in territorial court in Yellowknife again Aug. 27 to speak to the charges.
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