The Star Tribune Reported: A father and son who operate a large potato farm in northern Wisconsin have agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution in connection with the poisoning deaths of more than 70 wild animals, including at least two bald eagles. Alvin C. Sowinski, 65, and Paul A. Sowinski, 46, of the Town of Sugar Camp, also face penalties of up to $100,000 each and up to a year in prison at their sentencing in May, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the western district in Madison.
According to documents filed by prosecutors, Alvin Sowinski used poisoned bait piles to try to kill predators such as coyotes and gray wolves.
There was no evidence that wolves, a federally protected animal at the time of the investigation, were poisoned.
The two men also permitted hunters and trappers to kill predators to improve hunting for penned pheasants, grouse and deer for the Sowinskis and friends.
One such hunter and trapper was an undercover officer of the state Department of Natural Resources, who was told by Alvin Sowinski how he used poison to target predators.
While poisoning of wildlife is known to occur throughout the state, prosecution of such cases are “extremely rare,” according to U.S. Attorney John W. Vaudreuil, who said his office has prosecuted only one or two cases in the past 30 years. Read more…..
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