Couple fined for having bear parts

 HELENA (AP) — The owners of a Chinese restaurant in Helena have been fined nearly $5,000 for buying and possessing black bears and bear parts, including a bucket of 12 bear paws found at the restaurant.

David Hong, 57, and his wife Heng “Susan” Huang, 52, pleaded guilty Monday to 13 wildlife charges. Justice of the Peace Michael Swingley fined them $9,600 but suspended $4,620 of the penalty. They also are prohibited from hunting for six years.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks Sgt. Dave Loewen said the agency began an undercover investigation after someone called the agency to report overhearing the couple asking customers at their New Hunan restaurant if they were hunters and if they would sell them bear gallbladders.

Loewen said the couple solicited undercover agents on three separate occasions and paid cash each time for bear parts, two whole bears and three gallbladders.

A search of the couple’s home and restaurant turned up three gallbladders, two butchered bears in the freezer and the dozen bear paws in the bucket, Loewen said.

The agency investigated whether Hong and Huang were shipping animal parts out of state but found that was not the case, Loewen said.

Huang’s attorney, Michael Kakuk, said in court that she injured her hip and wanted the gallbladders for medicinal use. They didn’t explain the purpose of the bear paws.