Volunteer hunters under the direct supervision of public works staff are using live ammunition in Chatham, says Mayor Bill Erickson.
"But not in residential areas," the mayor said Thursday.
Erickson was reacting to a story in the Thursday edition of The Chatham Daily News which reported that at least 19 crows had been found with gunshot wounds in Chatham since October and taken to a wildlife rehabilitation specialist for treatment. Most of these birds had been found in residential areas.
This week, a local resident tipped a reporter to the location of several empty shotgun shell casings near a dead crow behind the CAW local 127 hall close to Randolf Crescent.
Repeated attempts to reach a senior public works official for comment have not been successful.
But Erickson says he did not believe the field and ridge of trees behind the CAW hall and between Randolf Crescent/Earl Drive and the Orchard Heights subdivision - a popular place for people to walk their dogs - would be appropriate for live ammunition to be fired safely during the evening.
"Under extreme caution perhaps. . .I would kind of find it a tight spot. It's more than likely an unauthorized citizen."
Some examples of places in Chatham where authorized shoots are taking place include areas between Richmond Street and Riverview Drive, especially along the railway tracks, including the area around the ethanol plant and the water pollution control plant. As well, live rounds are being used along the Thames River west of Union Gas head office.
Staff are making "sure no one is taking a nature walk in the area. They do all that preliminary work beforehand," Erickson said.
Shots have been fired since late December as part of an effort to convince crows to roost in rural areas.
Public works officials have not specified, exactly where the shoots have been taking place or the time, saying they do not want to attract protesters, who may put themselves at risk, of being shot.
Municipal officials have been quoted saying the shoots were taking place around the perimeter of the city and not in residential areas.
Public works officials have received special permission from municipal police to fire live rounds in Chatham, which is normally banned by law.
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