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| Update: Reward Offered in Hermiston Poaching Investigation | ||
| 11/19/2007 | ||
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Senior Trooper Tim Gallaher Fish & Wildlife Division - Pendleton Office: (541) 278-4090 Photograph links valid for 30 days - Source: Oregon State Police http://www.flashnews.net/images/news/110707.poaching.hermiston.1.jpg http://www.flashnews.net/images/news/110707.poaching.hermiston.2.JPG A $1,000 reward is now being offered for information in what is described by the lead investigating Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division trooper as the most serious type of wildlife crimes he investigates. The Humane Society of the United States and The Wildlife Land Trust are offering the reward to help OSP in seeking the public's help to solve the poaching case near Hermiston about two weeks ago. On November 7, 2007 OSP Fish and Wildlife troopers responded to a poaching complaint at the Royal Columbia Farms near Hermiston after farm employees discovered signs of illegal hunting when they arrived at work. Investigating troopers initially found four (4) mule deer that had been killed and left to waste sometime between 6:00 p.m., November 6th, and 2:00 a.m., November 7th. A nearby resident reported hearing shots at about 1:00 a.m. The four deer included 2 mature four-point bucks, one forked horn buck, and a yearling doe, were found adjacent to Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge. Senior Trooper Tim Gallaher now reports that a fifth deer and a porcupine were also found dead and are believed to be associated with the other wildlife killings. In addition to the illegal hunting activity, Senior Trooper Gallaher believes at least one vehicle was involved as the suspect(s) also drove off road on the farm's private property damaging several agricultural fields. "This is the type of random killing and senseless waste of several animals and is an example of the most serious type of wildlife crimes that we investigate," said OSP Fish and Wildlife Senior Trooper Tim Gallaher. Andrew Page, director of the Hunting Campaign for The Humane Society of the United States, shares the OSP's disgust with this illegal hunting activity. "Poaching is not only callous and irresponsible, it's also a serious crime. The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Oregon State Police for strongly enforcing anti-poaching laws," said Page. Anyone with information regarding this illegal deer hunting case is asked to contact OSP Senior Trooper Tim Gallaher with the Oregon State Police in Pendleton at 541-278-4090. ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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