Piglet visits officers on RIDE duty in Wellington

You never know what you’ll find while doing a RIDE program. PC Shawn McCaffrey made a new friend near Wellington.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers from the East Region SAVE (Snowmobile, ATV, Vessel Enforcement) Unit were greeted by a surprise four-legged visitor while conducting general patrol enforcement Saturday.

Officers checked 12 ATV’s, interacted with approximately 50 cyclists and a few runners using the trail. Officers also conducted a RIDE Program (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) check in Wellington.

Officers on the trail issued one Trespass to Property Act charge, one fail to have chin strap fastened (helmet) and one licence plate violation.

At the RIDE check, one seatbelt violation was issued and a Roadside Screening Device was administered with a pass as a result. One officer also had a photo opportunity with a baby pig that happened to come along.

The Millennium Trail is maintained by the County but is also part of the Eastern Ontario Trail Alliance, an organization that requires trail users to have permits while on a trail. However, the Prince Edward County portion of the Trail is exempt from this requirement.

The Millennium Trail Bylaw states that the only requirements for permits is listed in section 4 of the Municipal Bylaw which requires Off Road Vehicles to have valid permits, licencing and insurance under the Off Road Vehicles Act and for Snowmobiles to have valid permits, licencing and insurance under the Motorized Sno w Vehicles Act.

Only “authorized” motor vehicles are allowed on some portions of the trail, which are posted.

Prince Edward OPP reminds residents and users of the Millennium Trail to be mindful of others using the trail, either by foot traffic, bicycle or ATV. Be respectful of the environment and take your litter with you.

The Millennium Trail is a former railway that has been transformed into a multi-purpose trail and is 46 kilometres across Prince Edward County from Carrying Place through Consecon, Wellington, and Bloomfield to Picton with various access points.