Wildlife photographer taken to court by hobby hunters
Wildlife photographer Alain Prêtre appeared on Thursday morning, 1 July 2021, before the police court in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
We know nature photographer Alain Prêtre for his stance in favour of biodiversity and against hunting practices.
Computer seized
«The hobby hunters have it in for me this time», he says. In December 2020, police knocked on the door of his home in Chaux-de-Fonnier to seize his computer with a warrant.
He was accused of defamation and insult. The defendant had referred to the Neuchâtel hobby hunters in three emails as murderers, attackers, and pests with malicious intent.
The Neuchâtel hunting association filed a complaint against Alain Prêtre for defamation and insult following the sending of three emails. «War and death to hobby hunting», wrote Alain Prêtre in reference to the rejection of the revision of the Hunting Act by Swiss citizens on 27 September 2020.
Fine of 45 daily rates
In view of the photographer's statements, the public prosecutor's office is demanding a fine of 45 daily rates of 30 francs each.
«I stand fully behind the use of these terms», the defendant wrote in a Facebook post. Several animal welfare advocates, such as the president of the French League for Bird Protection, Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, and former actress Brigitte Bardot, have already expressed their support.
Should he be convicted, Alain Prêtre has already promised to appeal: «I am like a fox terrier: once I bite, I don't let go», he promises.
