$200 fine for abusing ranger
AN ABUSIVE reaction to being questioned about a dog has resulted in a Grafton man being convicted in Grafton Local Court earlier this month of two breaches of the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation.
He was fined $200 for using insulting language.
In late November 2010 after being approached by a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) officer on Illaroo Rd in Yuraygir National Park, the man became abusive and drove off.
He was subsequently issued with two on-the-spot fines for the breaches.
However, he elected to have the matters heard in court, pleading not guilty to both charges.
In convicting the man of both offences, Magistrate David Heilpern found the language was clearly insulting, commenting that officers of the NPWS had a right to go about their duties without being insulted.
"It is not appropriate to take out one's disagreement with the rules of the park on rangers," Mr Heilpern said.
Illaroo Rd is one of a number of roads that form part of the Yuraygir National Park which is regulated by NPWS.
Dogs are prohibited in all national parks in NSW as they pose a threat to native wildlife and interfere with other park visitors.
The man told The Daily Examiner on the weekend that he had his dog in the car because he was on his way to Sandon and had to pass through the national park.
He described the ranger as "unreasonable".
