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ELLERSLIE-BIDEFORD, P.E.I. —

BIDEFORD, P.E.I. – P.E.I. conservation officers are looking for help to identify two snowmobilers suspected of running over a coyote with a snowmobile on March 6, then purposely having their dogs attack it in Ellerslie-Bideford.

The Department of Justice stated that the coyote was run over by the first snowmobile and pinned while two dogs hauled in a kennel on the second snowmobile were released to kill the coyote.

The coyote carcass was taken away on one of the snowmobilers. The attack happened between 4:14 and 4:30 p.m. on the ice below Green Park.

Conservation Officer Wade MacKinnon said that a witness to the incident has come forward and officers have been investigating since Wednesday.

MacKinnon said he has recently received other reports of coyotes being run-down with snowmobiles in the West Prince area, but this was the only incident where there was a witness.

P.E.I. does have a coyote hunting season, which is from Oct. 1 to March 31, but hunters have to shoot the animal themselves. There is also a coyote trapping season, but it is currently closed. There are no rules in the Conservation Act that prevent hunters from using dogs as part of their hunt, but dogs are usually used to retrieve fowl or flush game from cover.

To see something like the situation this witness described is highly unusual and disturbing, said MacKinnon

“This isn’t sport – this is true poaching at its highest.

“There are many law-abiding hunters who follow the rules and abide by the legislation and find this as distasteful as we do,” he added.

MacKinnon added that demand for coyote furs have remained strong. Good quality pelts sell for an average of $75.

Duncan Crawford is a long-time hunter from Cove Head and has been involved in several provincial wildlife conservation groups over the years, including the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation and the trappers association. He expressed shock at the incident in Ellerslie-Bideford.

He would be interested in seeing this incident investigated thoroughly, he said.

“If in fact any of that stuff is true – that’s basically, in my mind, psychotic behavior. (Causing) undue stress to wildlife is against the law. Hunters, fishers and trappers – it’s what we adhere to. To be humane in all of our activities,” said Crawford.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the investigation and enforcement section of the Department of Justice at 902-368-4884 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Information can also be made online at www.princeedwardisland.ca/reportpoaching .

A reward will be offered for information leading to a conviction in this matter.

newsroom@journalpioneer.com