Eleven fallow deer killed: Nobody takes a close look

In Bironico (TI), a tragedy unfolded in mid-October: eleven fallow deer were allegedly killed by a wolf in a single night.

Editorial team Wild beim Wild — 20 October 2025

A tragic event, but not a surprising one.

The animals were kept in an enclosure that did not meet the legally required minimum standards.

IG Wild beim Wild is therefore filing a criminal complaint — not only against the animal keeper, but also against the cantonal authorities who granted a permit for this form of keeping despite clear regulatory requirements.

Paper protection instead of animal protection

The requirements are unambiguous: enclosure fences for fallow deer must be at least two metres high, constructed in such a way that animals cannot become entangled and predators are kept out. In Ticino, however, this does not appear to be taken seriously.

Eleven dead fallow deer are the consequence. The wolf is not to blame — it acts according to its nature. Blame lies with the person who knowingly leaves his animals unprotected, and with an authority that ignores its supervisory obligations.

Or, as IG Wild beim Wild puts it: “Paper protection is not animal protection.”

Criminal complaint for animal cruelty

The complaint is directed, on the one hand, against the animal keeper who disregarded the protection requirements. On the other hand, it is also directed against the cantonal veterinary office, which granted a permit in the first place. At issue are not only violations of animal protection legislation (TSchG, TSchV, WildtierV), but also abuse of authority under the Criminal Code (StGB).

The point is this: not only active mistreatment is a criminal offence, but also neglect of duty. Those who keep animals must protect them. Those who issue permits must ensure that protective measures are in place. Both obligations have once again failed spectacularly in Bironico.

The underlying problem: through such failures, wolves are practically served an open invitation to specialise in preying on livestock and enclosure animals. The outcry that follows is loud, and once again calls are made for culling — instead of finally implementing the most basic principle: animal keepers bear the responsibility, not the wolf.

Demanding accountability

The IG Wild beim Wild calls on the Bellinzona public prosecutor's office to initiate criminal proceedings and to fully clarify responsibilities. For what has happened here is not a natural disaster, but a systemic human failure.

As long as authorities grant permits “on paper” and animal keepers do not take their duty of care seriously, further such tragedies will follow — and once again the wolves will be made the scapegoat.

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