November 12, 2015 MEDIA ADVISORY
Vancouver, B.C. – Anaheim Ducks Defenseman, Clayton Stoner (originally of Port NcNeill, B.C.) faces five charges for Illegally Killing ‘Cheeky the Grizzly’ in the Great Bear Rainforest in May 2013. After three adjournments Stoner’s lawyer is finally expected to enter a ‘guilty’ plea at Robson Square Provincial Courthouse-800 Hornby Street, Rm 101 at 9:30a.m.
Afacebook event page for this case can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/913737082039717
Previously on Oct. 9th, a group of concerned citizens with anti-trophy hunt signs and photos of Cheeky & Stoner, spoke with media at the courthouse. The group achieved two goals, firstly of spreading awareness of the highly controversial bi-annual and expanded ‘trophy Kill’ of grizzlies in B.C. and secondly awareness about this case. Media outlets covering the case included Associated Press, Canadian Press, Fox Sports News, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, USA Today, CBC, Global TV, CTV, Vancouver Sun, National Observer, to name a few, and some international media outlets.
Due to the media attention garnered on Oct. 9th a few short days later on Oct 12th a group of animal welfare advocates, along with Native Americans and wildlife groups protested the Anaheim Ducks opening game at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. They were calling on the National Hockey League to suspend Clayton Stoner for his five charges under Canada’s Wildlife Act. Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion In Legislation who organized the protest stated: “Our dear Canadian friends do not want to go the way we have in California. The only grizzlybear found here is on our state flag.”
Ian McAllister, Executive Director of Pacific Wild recently stated “Clayton Stoner’s actions are just one example of the injustice the grizzly bear trophy hunt represents to the species, the Great Bear Rainforest, Coastal First Nations and to all British Columbians. Whether we’re talking economics, ecology, or ethics, the trophy hunt is indefensible. This is an international embarrassment and we are grateful for the continued support of concerned citizens on both sides of the border to help bring attention to this outdated practice.”
On Friday morning at 9am, a group of concerned citizens will once again assemble and attend Stoner’s court case to see that ‘Justice for Cheeky’ happens and also that continued attention shines a light on the senseless, archaic ‘sport’ of ‘trophy killing’ of grizzlies by both residential and non-residential trophy hunters. The latest poll clearly shows 91% of B.C. residents, across the urban and rural divide, oppose the trophy killing of grizzlies.
Charges facing Clayton Stoner, the former Port McNeill, British Columba resident include:
Two counts of knowingly making a false statement to obtain a licence.
Hunting without a licence.
Hunting out of season.
Unlawful possession of dead wildlife.
