Kwasi Larweh, a farmer who shot and killed a pig, was on Wednesday sentenced to a fine of GH¢ 60 by the Kade District Magistrate Court.
Larweh who pleaded guilty with explanation would in default serve 30 days in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to compensate the owner of the pig, Ruth Animah, with GH¢ 100.
Police Chief Inspector John Yaw Cromwell told the court that on December 31 last year, the complainant released her pig, which had given birth to two piglets two weeks earlier, to feed in a nearby bush.
He said the pig, however, strayed into the house of Larweh who shot it.
The next day the complainant saw the piglets without their mother and while searching for it got information that Larweh had shot it the previous night.
The prosecution said the complainant therefore went with her husband to confront Larweh who admitted shooting it.
The pig was never traced so a report was made to the police and Larweh was arrested.
In his explanation Larweh said the pig had killed two of his goats and so when it entered the house he decided to kill it.
In his judgement the Magistrate, Mr Abdul Iliasu, said it was clear the pig strayed into the house of the convict.
He said the convict was empowered by law to use reasonable and necessary force to protect his property but to shoot a pig without trying to scare it was deemed excessive and not reasonable.