Hugo in mortal danger: dog fell into a wolf trap in the Western Pomerania forest!

Hugo in mortal danger: dog fell into a wolf trap in the Western Pomerania forest!

In the Vorpommern-Greifswald district, an incident in the forest has caused a stir, putting the spotlight on safety concerns when hunting using animal trapping methods. Tatjana and Hermann Scheuerer experienced a shocking situation while walking with their horses when their dog Hugo fell into a wolf trap set by scientists. The mongrel yelped in pain, causing the horses to panic, and the Scheuerers had to free the dog, injuring themselves and requiring an antibiotic, like the one Northern Courier reported.

The entire scene occurred between Vogelsang-Warsin and Altwarp while the family was out with their animals. Hugo suffered a severe bruise but fortunately survived the incident. It was only after the incident that the Scheuerers discovered a sign about the traps, which led Tatjana to question the information policy. The police are now investigating suspected violations of the Animal Welfare Act and the Federal Hunting Act.

Research on wolves and their effects

The research project in which the traps are involved is carried out by the TU Dresden. It examines the impact of wolves on fallow deer and other wild animals. Two wolf packs currently live in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and there are a total of 28 wolves in the region. According to the SRF There are deep divisions in the discussion about wolves and sometimes heated debates about the management of these animals and their importance for the cultural landscape.

The traps used in the project should be animal welfare compliant. However, there are concerns about safety in forests, particularly when animal-based trapping methods are used. Despite safety efforts, there have only been two comparable “bycatch” incidents in such traps in the past 15 years.

A look into history

Historically, humans and wolves have had close relationships characterized by admiration and competition. This view has changed over the centuries, particularly during the Thirty Years' War, when wolves increasingly attacked livestock. The myth of the man-eating wolf was reinforced by stories such as the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood. In the 18th century, the clearing of forests led to the systematic extermination of wolves in Central Europe. Today there are both opponents and supporters of the wolf who face each other in the discussion about power relations and definitions of nature and wilderness.

The current developments surrounding wolves raise questions that go far beyond the region and require a discussion across society about wild animals, their management and how they interact with each other. In the meantime, it is to be hoped that incidents like Hugo's do not happen again and that security measures in the forests are improved so that walkers and their four-legged companions can remain at ease.