PIERSON -- A 71-year-old Pierson man was among a dozen people in eight counties charged with illegally purchasing and poessessing live foxes and coyotes, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Charles Jones of Person and 11 others in Bay, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, Gilchrist and Okaloosa counties were nabbed Tuesday night, concluding a 10-month investigation.
Jones was charged with the purchase of a fox from an unlicensed person, failure to vaccinate the animal prior to release and purchase of a fox unlawfully taken from Florida. These are misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, if convicted.
Authorities say foxes and coyotes were being purchased to train dogs to pursue them. Permits from the state are required to purchase these kinds of animals.