B.C. man fined $6,000 for feeding 'pot bears'

A B.C. man has been fined $6,000, but won't face jail time, for feeding dozens of black bears thatRCMP allegedhe was using toguard a marijuana grow operation.

Allan Piche, 66, of Christina Lake, made headlines around the world in August 2010 when police levelled the allegations against him.

Piche has denied those allegations, but hefreely admitted to feeding the bears$200 worth of dog food a week for more than a decade at his rural property inthe Kootenay region ofsoutheastern B.C.

He was fined Thursday by Judge Ronald Fabbro at a sentencing hearing in Grand Forks, B.C.,

Pichekept the more than two dozen black bears almost like pets, giving many of them names and at times, allowing them inside his remote mountainside home.

Judge says feeding bears was'foolish'

Conservation officers charged Piche with feeding dangerous wildlife in November 2010.

They said the bears were a danger to Piche, as well as the people of Christina Lake, and pushed for him to serve jail time.

At Thursday's hearing, Fabbro called Piche's actions "foolish" and "a flight of fancy."

Fabbro said there was no doubt Piche's actions were harmful to the bears and potentially people, but didn't think jail time was necessary, instead opting for a $6,000 fine.

Outside the courthouse Thursday morning, Piche said he thinks thesentence is fair.

"I feel relieved that it's finally done, and Ifeel it wasa just settlement considering the impression the court has to give,to deter people from doing this sort of thing."

Piche still faces charges for allegedly producing and possessing marijuana.