They had been arrested on the night of August 24 to 25, in a park in Villefranche-sur-Saône, near Lyon. In a park where they had come to hunt. A couple in their thirties have been fined 1,000 euros for capturing hedgehogs to eat. Seven were found in a cage stored in the back of their van.
Belonging to the community of travelers, the two assumed before the criminal court, where they were tried on Thursday March 3, reports Progress. They explained that it was part of their culture. However, since 2007, the law is formal in France. It is forbidden to destroy, transport or naturalize (and even less to eat) hedgehogs, a protected species.
Each risked 3 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros. They finally received 500 euros each and will have to pay 1,200 euros to the SPA. As for the small mammals, saved from the plate, they were sent to a care center in the region before being released in one of the Beaujolais forests.