News: Business Environment
Events Calendar
3 Comments Share
Moose accident lawsuit can proceed, judge rules
Posted: Jun 10, 2011 11:48 AM | Last Updated: May 31, 2012 02:51 PM

ST. JOHN'S -- Victims of moose-vehicle accidents who want to sue Newfoundland and Labrador can proceed with a landmark class-action lawsuit.

Justice Richard LeBlanc told the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador he supports certification of the case.

Ches Crosbie, the lawyer for the victims, claims the province has negligently failed to manage a moose population that is a public nuisance. He’s calling for unspecified compensation, moose fencing, a cull of the herd and other measures to reduce an estimated 800 collisions or close calls last year alone.

Justice Minister Felix Collins said he sympathizes with victims and their families, but the province will defend itself in court.

“There’s no doubt that these families have reason to be upset,” he said in an interview. “We want to express our condolences to those people. With respect to the legal proceedings, these have to take their own course.”

The province has not yet filed a statement of defense.

Adult moose weigh between 360 to 450 kilograms — 800 to 1,000 pounds — and were brought to the island despite having “no natural predator (other than black bears which prey on very young calves),” says the statement of claim.

 
Email Editor     Comment Below
Rate this Article!
We Recommend:
Popular this Week:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Social Activity


(optional)

(optional)

(optional)

Notify me of other comments on this story (requires email and password)


* Please type the letters above exactly as they appear:  

Please Note:

While we value your feedback, please avoid profane or personal attacks. You should know that if your comment contains libelous, prejudicial or just plain wrong statements, it will be deleted.

PETER MCMEEKIN

2011/06/16

at 7:23 PM

Rating
0
20
20
Without the introduction of moose in 1878& 1904 to Newfoundland,there probably would be less Newfies today. Our ancestors relied on them for a food source in those days. A proper harvest each year, with an extended season would help considerably to address the issue of too many moose. The goverment gets their dollars,and the hunters a better chance to bag an animal. No tax money being waisted that way. A win win situation I'd say.

D MIKLOS

2011/06/13

at 9:09 PM

Rating
2
22
20
This is B.S.! Moose were not native to Newfoundland but was introduced there on two different occasions. In 1878 a bull and a cow were brought from Nova Scotia and released at Gander Bay. In 1904 two bulls and two cows from New Brunswick were released near Howley. So people had no ideas what would happen a hundred years from then. The moose have cause havoc for a long time. Drivers should be aware of this and take some responsibility for their driving. How effective would culling be? Maybe extend the hunting season and make money on it? Lastly, since the introduction to the island occured before NFLD became a province, theoretically the province is not responsible for the controlling of the moose population. Cars and trucks came after the moose. Sure it would be nice if life was perfect, but suck it up and live with the situation. Dez Miklos www.saydez.com

D STEANE

2011/06/13

at 2:10 PM

Rating
3
22
19
I agree that culling the heard responsibly is a good idea. I suggest that all need to be careful what you wish for. In the terms of moose fencing and costs of the lawsuit. If you don't believe it will be passed along in forms of Diesel tax or road usage taxes (tolls booths) and feel that they will just provide these containment fences at no cost, I think we'd be wrong. But then it will give us something to fight the government on later.

Report Abuse

Video Reel