Tofino man gets jail sentence, fine after killing black bear, cub
Posted November 7, 2023 1:35 pm.
A B.C. man will serve 30 days in jail and is facing an $11,000 penalty after killing two bears in Tofino, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) says in what it’s calling a precedent-setting case.
Ryan Millar was sentenced in Tofino Court Monday after killing a black bear and her cub during closed season in 2021.
In October of that year, Millar killed the animals after seeing them just outside his property, the COS says, adding he then tried to hide the carcasses.
“No one should take it upon themselves to needlessly destroy wildlife,” said COS Sgt. Dan Eichstadter. “We ask people to call us if they have a concern. It’s not lawful to take matters into your own hands. We’d also like to thank the witnesses who immediately reported their concerns to authorities and initiated this investigation.”
Millar also received a 20-year hunting and weapons ban, with a bow and crossbow seized.
The service says it hopes the penalty will deter others from similar activities, and that the majority of the funds from the fine will go toward the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.
The COS asks anyone who witnesses any poaching or other unlawful activities to call the Report all Poachers and Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
