A Huron County man has been fined $3,000 after a shot fired at a squirrel missed and nearly hit a municipal worker.
Conservation officers received a complaint that an employee of the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, near Goderich, was nearly hit by a bullet that subsequently struck St. Helens town hall on June 5, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement.
A joint investigation by conservation officials and provincial police found a St. Helens man had attempted to shoot a .22-calibre rifle at a squirrel in his yard and missed.
The shot was fired toward the main intersection of Belfast Road and St. Helens Line in the small town south of Lucknow, the ministry said in a statement issued following the investigation.
The bullet “passed within feet” of a township employee before striking town hall, officials said.
Andrew Stutzman pleaded guilty to the careless hunting charge in August, the ministry statement said. He was fined $3,000 and is prohibited from possessing a hunting licence for one year. He is also required to complete training before he can get another hunting licence, officials said.
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources is urging hunters to be aware of their surroundings before they shoot.
To report a natural resources problem or provide information a case, call the ministry tip line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.