"Gold" fines for hunters - The new law empties the pockets of offenders

The big challenge for hunters, the hare, the quail and the partridge hunt begins. On Sunday, October 27, 2019, 42.000 licensed hunters will run to pursue their favorite hobby aimed at hunting. In total, from Sunday to December 22 hunting will be allowed in the allowed areas every Sunday and Wednesday. The Thera Fund will also be on alert, since the executives of the Department will be on foot αργ from Saturday late at night until Monday at dawn to enforce order.

However, it is interesting to know the amount of fines paid for illegal hunters. The new legislation was implemented in July 2017 and provides that: The usual offenses namely: Hunting without a hunting license and hunting in a restricted hunting area are punishable by an extrajudicial fine of up to 2000 euros and increases depending on the extent of the offense and in combination with other offenses. Also, the out-of-court fine for poaching during the night is punished with 25.000 euros.

The fines

It is noted that since July 2017, when the legislation is implemented, very high fines have been imposed. Typically, in more than two years, fines of up to 1 euros were imposed. Of all these extrajudicial fines, a percentage of 180.000% was paid on time, a percentage of 60% is pending payment, and 10% was not paid and was or will be presented to the Court.

Information states that the largest fine imposed so far amounted to 47.000 euros for illegal possession of wild and hare. The specific fine has not been paid yet.

A fine of 25.000 euros was imposed for poaching during the night.

A fine of 23.000 euros was imposed for pheasant hunting in a restricted area. This fine was even paid.

In addition, 10.000 fines for poaching were imposed in several cases

The fines are out of court and must be paid within 30 days. If the offenders do not do so within 15 days from the day the fines are paid, they are increased by one and a half times. If 45 days pass and the fines are not paid, the cases are taken to Court.

The officer of Thera and Fauna, Petros Anagiotos, sent a message to the hunters who will go on Sunday, October 27, 2019, saying that "they should see hunting as a hobby and sport. Especially, on Sunday they should be careful since it may rain. If they do not manage to reap well on the first Sunday, there is another excursion ". Mr. Anagiotos said that the executives of the Service will be on alert, while from Saturday late at night they will carry out patrols. KOTA (permissible fruiting) for hares is one (1), for partridges four (4) for frangolins one (1) and unlimited for other prey.

Source: newsbomb