A hunter from Lower Franconia has to pay a fine of 5,600 euros for shooting a free-roaming dog without a good reason. The Haßfurt district court sentenced the man on Monday to 140 daily rates of 40 euros each, a court spokesman said. In addition, the rifle used in the crime was confiscated.
According to the verdict, the defendant had no right to shoot the dog. There were no indications that the Alaskan Malamute animal had been poached in July 2022. According to a court spokesman, the pensioner was convicted of violating the Animal Welfare Act. The decision is not yet final.
The dog’s Austrian owners had stopped near Knetzgau (Haßberge district) after a canoe trip on the Main. When they tied the canoe to the bank, the dog was off leash running around in a meadow. According to the public prosecutor’s office, there was no other animal present. The defendant is said to have discovered the dog and shot it from his car for no reason. Afterwards he is said to have simply driven away.
In its plea, the public prosecutor’s office had demanded a fine of 6,000 euros and the confiscation of the rifle, while the defense had pleaded for an acquittal.