February 6, 2010
LeClaire man faces new trapping charges
MUSCATINE, Iowa – A LeClaire man who pleaded guilty to killing a pet dog that was caught in an illegal trap set along Sweetland Road is facing charges for new trapping violations, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Chad W. Oberman, 38, was charged Friday with setting and maintaining a snare within 200 yards of a private driveway without permission, failure to check a snare within 24 hours and abandonment of dead wildlife.
The charges were filed on Jan. 29 after the DNR responded to an illegal trapping complaint on Yankee Avenue in Montpelier Township. A conservation officer seized a snare containing a dead raccoon from the public road right-of-way.
In November 2009, Oberman pleaded guilty to the first trapping violation after a dog was caught and killed in an illegal trap on Sweetland Road. He paid a $397.50 fine in connection with that incident.
According to the DNR, Oberman faces a one-year suspension of his trapping and fur harvesting privileges and a $380 fine.
Oberman is scheduled to appear before a judge at the Muscatine County Courthouse on Friday, Feb. 12.
The Iowa furbearers trapping season, except beaver, closed on Jan. 31. Beaver season is open until April 1.