Oregon hires first poaching prosecutor

The Oregon Department of Justice has hired its first special prosecutor dedicated to enforcing anti-poaching laws. Jay Hall was hired in February as a new assistant attorney general in February. As a prosecutor with the Lane County district attorney’s office, he developed expertise in using state racketeering laws against organized poaching rings, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports. He received a 2010 award from the Oregon State Police for prosecuting a poaching ring involved in the deaths of over 300 deer and elk. Hall’s hiring comes as the state legislature approved a Stop Poaching Campaign amid an increase of incidents.

“Fulfilling this role increases our chances of holding poachers accountable,” Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Stop Poaching Campaign Coordinator Yvonne Shaw told OPB. “Prosecuting crimes against fish, wildlife and their habitats preserves natural resources that belong to all Oregonians.”

Read more from Oregon Public Broadcasting.