MONROE – A man who killed more tha 50 animals and birds with toxic coyote bait will spend six months confined to his home and pay $5,000 in fine.

Additionally, Leslie W. Hardwick, Jr., 47 of West Monroe loes hunting privileges for three years.

He pleaded guilty Nov. 7 in U.S. Western District Court in Monroe for two counts of violating federal pesticide laws and one count of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited Hardwick in January 2011 after receiving a complaint that dead animals were being located in Ouachita and Riceland parishes.

In Ouachita Parish, animals were found in the area of Bosco Lodge owned by Robert Stone and Sal Miletello.

In Riceland Parish, animals were found south of Start on Two Stone Farms, which was also owned by Stone. Bosco Lodge, a licensed deer pen in southeast Ouachita Parish, employed Hardwick.

Agents went to the areas and located a total of 54 dead animals four of which were migratory non-game birds. The animals consisted of 17 coyotes, 16 raccoons, 12 opossums, four bobcats, a red tailed hawk, barred owl and two sparrows.

After finding the dead animals, a joint investigation began with LDWF, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.

During the investigation, agents located several areas baited with the insecticide known as Temik, which is a restricted use pesticide.

All 54 animals were sent to LSU veterinary school for analysis where it was found that all animals contained high levels of Temik in their digestive tracts. During the interview with Hardwick, he stated that he had placed the bait sites laced with Temik to eradicate coyotes.