50 dead snow geese bring littering charge

[IronLionZion]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=1636&u_sid=1075530

COUNCIL BLUFFS - A Pottawattamie County man has been ticketed for littering in connection with the discovery of 50 dead snow geese northwest of town three weeks ago.

Andrea Bevington, conservation officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said the man hunted the geese legally during the regular season, which ended last week. Only the method of disposal was illegal.

"This was not an animal cruelty case," she said.

The birds were found April 1 along 225th Street just north of Hanie Avenue, not far from Interstate 80. A Pottawattamie County sheriff's deputy verified that the birds had been shot. Some had broken necks.

The limit for snow geese is 20 birds a day, and there is no limit on the number of birds that hunters can have in their possession.

Last week, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals offered a $2,500 reward for information that led to an arrest and a conviction for animal cruelty.

With the news of the littering ticket, the group has withdrawn the reward.

The littering ticket carries a fine of $62.50.

- Julie Anderson