Hunter fined for pursuing wild pig on to farm

A Carterton hunter who pursued a wild pig onto a private farm was caught on camera and prosecuted for his actions.

The man said he saw the pig on a rural road and chased it onto farmland, where the owner had been plagued by poachers and had installed security cameras.

Brad Stuart Kelynack, 46, pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court yesterday to a breach of the Wild Animal Control Act and was fined $150 with court costs of $132.89.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said Kelynack had gone onto the farm in pursuit of the pig on January 6 and had been filmed by a surveillance camera and identified.

He had not sought permission to be on the land.

Kelynack's solicitor Ian Hard said Kelynack worked as a rural contractor "dealing with farmers all the time".

He admitted he had trepassed onto the farm and diversion had been sought for him but refused as the farmer had opposed it.

But Judge Barry said a nominal fine was warranted as there had to be some sort of deterrent to stop these types of offences happening in rural areas.