A southwestern Ontario man has learned the hard way that you don’t mess with Canada geese.
According to officials with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Joseph Brugge of Essex pleaded guilty to capturing, harassing and attempting to injure Canada geese under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Conservation officials were contacted by Ontario Provincial Police last May about a man who had been harassing geese at the Belle River Marina in Lakeshore. Authorities say the accused caught a gosling and was seen throwing large rocks and swatting at adult geese.
Canada geese are federally protected migratory birds, and the public is not permitted to catch them with their hands or attempt to injure them.
The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor earlier this year
Brugge has since been ordered to pay Ducks Unlimited Canada $1,000 to support migratory bird management, habitat enhancement or protection near the location where the offence was committed.
