A BUSHFIELD man, 49, is expected to be charged with a firearms offence after shooting a duck on a private dam near Toolong.
Macarthur policeman Senior Constable David Rook said the man was interviewed on Saturday and his shotgun seized after an alleged incident beside the Port Fairy-Hamilton Road at Toolong.
“It has been alleged that the man shot a duck on a dam on private property from the side of the road,” he said.
“It’s illegal to shoot across private land without consent and illegal to shoot from the road or roadside. The man is expected to receive a summons at a later date.”
Senior Constable Rook said the landowner was just over a rise, not far from the dam, when he heard shots fired.
“There were cattle at the dam when the shots were fired and the owner saw one of the cattle limping noticeably when fleeing from the dam. It has not been confirmed the animal was hit, but if that was the case the shooter could face another charge.”
The police officer said there were risks involved in shooting across private land without consent and that’s why it was an offence.
“The owner was only a fairly short distance away over a rise. He heard the shots, drove to the dam and confronted the shooter,” he said.
