Editor: I am disgusted by the slap on the wrist sentences handed down to the elk poachers in Duncan, January 10.
These poachers knowingly and willfully hunted endangered animals in a protected area at night from a truck, using night vision goggles and lights. What could be wrong with that so far? Eight of these endangered elk were killed, including two pregnant females and a baby. In spite of all this carnage, these perps got the lamest punishments possible. Big fines and jail time were considered by the judge to be just too darned harsh. Really? How can welfare recipients be expected to pay fines?
How did they afford the truck, the guns, all that ammo, and the night vision goggles, which helped them to blast away indiscriminately?
They seemed pretty well-equipped to me. But wait — at least they can’t do it again, at least not within 10 kilometres of Cowichan Lake for three years. That will fix them! Let’s face it, there was no justice delivered in this shameful case and there is no protection for animals even on protected land. The criminals were treated like society’s victims and that will continue until enough people have had enough of a legal system, which has no teeth, and will not hand out meaningful sentences that would strongly discourage a repeat crime.