Shock in the Ardèche: Mild punishment after massacre on seven hunting dogs!

Manuel Merlhiot wurde für das Töten von sieben Jagdhunden in Ardèche zu sechs Monaten Haft auf Bewährung verurteilt.
Manuel Merlhiot was sentenced to six months in prison for killing seven hunting dogs in Ardèche. (Symbolbild/MND)

Shock in the Ardèche: Mild punishment after massacre on seven hunting dogs!

Privas, Ardèche, Frankreich - In the past few days, a judgment in the French judiciary has caused a lot of explosive, especially among the hunters. On June 17, 2023, the Tribunal Correctionnel in Privat decided on the case of Manuel Merlhiot, who shot seven hunting dogs in December 2022. According to chassons came to this incident, as a pack of hunting dogs a wild boar persecuted and on the process of illegal pigs started. Merlhiot, who wanted to provide order on his property, killed the dogs with his Winchester carabiner.

For this act, Merlhiot received a penalty of six months in prison on probation and a fine of 450 euros. It was also stated that he had to pay the two hunting shooters, the owners of the dogs, 1,500 euros for intangible damage. The fact that the two hunting shooters themselves were charged themselves is not entirely unproblematic with the accusation of threats to third and dangerous animal husbandry, such as

protest and mobilization of the hunters

The reaction of the hunters was not long in coming. Over 300 hunters gathered before the court to express their displeasure with the case and the court ruling. Dazzling orange vests were visible in the crowd and the protest was loud. Many hunters found the verdict as unjust and voor for their position towards the judiciary. Above all, since vigilante justice is seen as a negative signal that shakes trust in the legal system.

In the debate,

to apologize for the hunters, the reference to the difficult coexistence of farmers and hunters in the Ardèche region fell. Again and again there are tensions between these two groups, as if every incident could lead to the next scandal in the worst case. Merlhiot is also known as President of the Anarcho-ecological community Longo Maï, which brings additional explosives to the whole matter, as can be seen from various reports.

context of the hunting discussion in France

These arguments and the debate about hunting are not isolated cases in France. Due to numerous hunting accidents, in which several people were harmed last year alone, hunting in the public discussion is very popular. A draft law to tighten the hunting regulations is required by various political groups. Among other things, suggestions for the better training of the hunters and for a digital platform for the identification of organized hunts are under discussion, such as Wildundhund reported.

This happens against the background of a high density of hunters in France, with over 1.3 million active hunters who have comparisons with Germany, where there are just over 400,000 hunters. Such a discussion about tightening rules shows that the debate about hunting not only causes a stir, but also nationwide. So let's be excited to see how the situation will develop and whether the hunters may make an appeal against the judgment. The minds are heated, and the topic will probably continue to employ us in the future.

Details
OrtPrivas, Ardèche, Frankreich
Quellen