It's no secret that a few bad apples spoil the reputation of motorcyclists in many folk's eyes, but lately, the same has been happening to snowmobilers. Now, a group of riders has gone beyond the limit of "bad apples" and into the territory of scumbags. But hopefully, someone reading this can help deliver some much-needed justice.
Conservation officers discovered four coyotes that were pursued and deliberately run over by snowmobiles about seven miles east of Lanigan, Saskatchewan, Canada. When the officers arrived at the scene, two of the coyotes were already dead, and two more were severely injured. The injured coyotes were humanely euthanized at the scene.
After studying the tracks, it was clear that all four animals were hit by the same group of snowmobilers. An investigation by the Ministry of Community Safety is now underway, and the ministry has released a statement saying, “We are deeply concerned by the recent incident reported in the Humboldt–Lanigan area involving coyotes that were struck by snowmobilers.”
What these snowmobilers did isn't just disgusting, it's illegal, and not something the Ministry of Community Safety takes lightly, stating, “Intentionally harming wildlife is not only illegal, but it also undermines the values of respect and responsibility that most outdoor users uphold.”
If you have any information relating to this case, you can call the Turn-In-Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561. There's a cash reward of up to $2,000 for anyone who has information that might lead to the arrest or conviction of those involved. Any callers who wish to remain anonymous can do so, as calls are not traced or recorded.
Many folks, including RideApart's Editor-in-Chief, Jonathon Klein, find therapeutic relief in snowmobiling, and the last thing they want is to have something that provides such relief tarnished with these acts. So, if you know of anything that could help, do the community a solid and pick up the phone.
