Man accused of feeding bears to protect his grow op pleads not guilty
By Michael Wirischagin
Self –proclaimed “bear dude” Allen Piche entered a not guilty plea this past Tuesday in Grand Forks Provincial Court, in relation to the possession of marijuana charges stemming from a raid on his property that uncovered a grow-op at Christina Lake last summer. Piche’s other charge concerning the feeding of up to two dozen black bears was adjourned until March 22. Piche has admitted to feeding the bears, however has denied any connection between the bears and the grow-op. Piche is facing charges for feeding wildlife under the Wildlife Act, as well as criminal charges for production of and possession of for the purposes of trafficking in, marijuana. A police investigation of an alleged marijuana grow operation in mid-August 2010 uncovered a number of severely habituated and food-conditioned black bears on a rural property near Christina Lake. The property owner, Piche, had allegedly been feeding the bears large amounts of dog food, in quantities that were enough to sustain the animals. As a result, the bears had become dependent upon humans for food and were docile in response to humans as food providers. It is believed as many as 26 bears were frequenting the property in search of food. Under the Province’s Wildlife Act, penalties for feeding dangerous wildlife can be as high as $100,000 for a first offence, or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. Subsequent convictions for the same offence can result in a fine of not more than $200,000 and not less than $2,000, or a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both. Piche will return to court on March 22 for an arraignment hearing.
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