Hunting
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CT: man arrested on illegal trapping charges
February 1, 2010
Burlington man arrested on illegal trapping charges
According to a press release issued today by the Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection, the state's EnCon Police (Environmental
Conservation Police) arrested Conrad R. Doty, of Burlington, on a number of
charges relating to illegal trapping activity in Winchester. This arrest
stems from an ongoing investigation the EnCon Police started back in
December of last year shortly after a bobcat was reported caught in an
illegal snare trap. It is currently illegal to use a snare hold trap and to
trap bobcat in Connecticut. Officers tranquilized the bobcat and
successfully released it back into the wild unharmed. Other illegal snare
traps were located on the property and officers began surveillance of the
area. The next day EnCon Police observed Doty searching for the illegal
snares and were able to seize more trapping equipment that he had in his
possession.
According to an arrest warrant served on Friday, January 29, 2010, Doty
is charged with: "16 counts of illegal trapping; violation of regulations
for taking a wild quadruped; failure to carry written consent of the
landowner while trapping; illegal trapping of a bobcat; 3 counts of criminal
mischief 3rd degree; 2 counts of criminal trespass 3rd degree; and violation
of regulations for hunting by a minor."
It was also discovered that Doty had allegedly been trapping on the
property without permission of the property owner. "Evidence seized at the
scene and equipment seized from Doty was brought to the State Police
Forensic Laboratory in Meriden where forensic examination of the evidence
positively linked Doty to the illegal trapping activity."
Doty was released from custody on the written promise to appear in court
scheduled on February 8th in Bantam.
Bobcats are a medium sized feline about double the size of the house cat.
They are known to be more active during dusk and the period just before
dawn, and prefer habitats such as hardwood forests, rock outcroppings, and
farm lands. The bobcat's diet consists mostly of rabbits, woodchucks,
squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, deer, and birds. But they are also know
to feed on insects, reptiles and domestic animals such as poultry, small
pigs, sheep, goats and housecats.
In the 1970's, the Connecticut DEP, concerned that the bobcat may become
overharvested because of the increased demand for it's pelt, classified the
feline as a protected furbearer with no hunting or trapping allowed. This
protection is still in effect today.
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