A New Liskeard business owner has been fined $1,000 for possessing illegally killed wildlife.

William McMillan, owner of Bill the Butcher, pleaded guilty to possessing an illegally killed moose and was ordered not to possess moose, deer or bear for the purpose of butchering for two years. The moose meat was donated to charity.

Court heard that McMillan had previously been cautioned twice for possessing illegal wildlife at his butcher shop. Acting upon information that McMillan did not heed those warnings, local conservation officers, assisted by members of the ministry’s special investigations services unit, conducted an investigation. On October 21, 2016, McMillan accepted a moose for butchering and told a plainclothes conservation officer that he could make the moose appear legal if his business was inspected by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Uniformed officers subsequently interviewed McMillan, who admitted that he knew the moose was illegal and had still taken possession of the moose and butchered it.

Justice of the Peace Theodore Hodgins heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Haileybury, on November 19, 2016.

To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).