(Au) Fox hunter says scorn hit health

[Guest guest]

The Mercury

Tasmania, Australia

 

Fox hunter says scorn hit health

By BRETT STUBBS

17jul02

THE man at the centre of Tasmania's fox debate says his health has declined

due to the scorn, and stress he has endured since claiming he shot a fox

last year.

 

But Perth shooter Eric Bosworth, 51, is standing by his story -- and he says

he knows where the vixen and cub of the shot fox are.

Mr Bosworth says he shot and killed a fox in the Symmons Plains area on

September 13, last year, finding the male carcass 10 days later while

gathering firewood.

 

Tests on the stomach contents revealed the remains of a long-tailed mouse,

endemic to Tasmania.

 

Since then, Mr Bosworth's story has come under fire, particularly from

Independent Tasmanian Senator Shayne Murphy, who does not believe there are

any foxes in the state.

 

Mr Bosworth said yesterday his health had steadily deteriorated, resulting

in a lung operation in Hobart and numerous ambulance trips to Launceston.

 

He said he was saved from certain death twice by ambulance officers and

relies on morphine and 18 different tablets a day for pain and stress.

 

The disability pensioner said he believed he was eligible for a $5000 State

Government reward for killing the fox.

 

" I wish I had never shot it, " he said.

 

" They cancelled the reward as soon as I shot the fox. You would feel the

same way if you were sold down the drain. "

 

He said he knows the location of the vixen and her cub -- but won't tell

Parks and Wildlife until the reward is paid.

 

" I have seen them on two occasions. I know exactly where they are, but I am

not going to tell Parks or the State Government.

 

" When I get better and have proof of my reward, I will shoot those foxes. I

will go to Parliament House, get [Primary Industries, Water and Environment

Minister David] Llewellyn and [Premier Jim] Bacon out and say 'there, all

your money is going up in smoke with your taskforce'. "

 

As for Senator Murphy's statements, he believes they are unfounded.

 

" I sat back for an hour or two and I came to the conclusion he is trying to

get a few runs for nothing.

 

" All he is arguing about is a fox, when there are more important things like

starving kids on the street. This is more important than some bugger who

shot a fox. "

 

A spokesman for Parks and Wildlife said no reward had been offered by the

Government for foxes.

 

The only reward offered was from a hunting magazine which was withdrawn at

the request of Parks and Wildlife last year.