Conservation Officers are asking for assistance in locating a vehicle suspected of the illegal dumping of waterfowl near Swift Current.

On October 15th, officers received a call from the turn-in poachers and polluters line as Sgt. Dan Robinson explains.

"A vehicle was observed dumping waterfowl carcasses that turned out to be 107 birds. The area of the dumping was 5 km east of Swift Current and about two and a half km north of Hwy 1 under a bridge."

Robinson adds that the fact that the suspects attempted to somewhat conceal the carcasses under the bridge demonstrates a certain degree of culpability, so they likely knew that what they were doing was illegal. 

 A good description of the vehicle was provided as Robinson details.

"It was described as a black four-door pickup truck possibly a dodge with black rims. It had a heavy-duty after-market front bumper and a winter LED light in the middle of the bumper and a dog kennel in the box of the truck. The vehicle had at least three occupants in it, each wearing camouflage shirts, and one of the occupants was described as having long hair and wearing a ball cap."

Robinson says that not only is the dumping a form of litter and is unsightly and the odor is unpleasant, it also attracts predators and vermin. 

In addition, Robinson adds that it is typical this time of year to get cases like this as people are too lazy to properly dispose of the items or are trying to avoid paying the landfill tipping fees. The dumpers did utilize the breast meat of the carcasses, which had they not, the dumping would have become a more serious offense as the litter would have then included waste of game under the Wildlife Act. 

The vehicle in question was last seen turning towards Swift Current and anyone with information is asked to call the turn-in poachers and polluters line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 from a SaskTel cell phone. 

Robinson also advises residents to sign up to receive crime watch advisory for their local area through the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network. He says it benefits law enforcement when they send out advisories such as this and it increases the number of eyes on the ground.