Born for the Hunt
In France, too, hobby hunters claim they must kill foxes and the like in order to save hares. This is, of course, just as much a farce as it is here. Hobby hunters are not concerned with protecting wildlife for its own sake, but always only with their own interests and their own hunting pleasure.
In France, not only partridges, ducks, and wild boar are bred and released for hobby hunting, but also hares.
Hare breeding farm for hobby hunting
A hare breeding farm for hobby hunting in Labarthe-Rivière in Haute-Garonne is now being accused of animal cruelty based on a published video.
«It is important to ban this practice as quickly as possible», says Pierre Rigaux, environmental activist and independent naturalist.
We were shocked by the way these hares are raised. They spend 3–4 years in these cages, which are very small. Hares are animals that need a lot of space and are very sensitive to stress. Their living conditions are absolutely cruel.
Pierre Rigaux
Allegations disputed by the breeder
According to the environmental activist, «young hares are sold for between 60 and 100 euros depending on their age». The clientele are hunting associations in several departments in southern France. They are released to do what the hobby hunting community calls «repopulation». Behind this topic, presented as ecological, lies the goal of hunting them.
«We want to make as many people as possible aware that this type of breeding exists», says Pierre Rigaux.
