Germany: Drunk Animal Abuser Is a Hobby Hunter

The death of a capercaillie has kept police in Titisee-Neustadt busy with a great deal of investigative work.

According to police statements issued on Sunday, officers were initially notified via emergency call that two men had killed a capercaillie in the Black Forest community of Feldberg. The act had been witnessed, and the animal abusers were now being detained.

During the subsequent investigation, it emerged that the two intoxicated animal abusers, aged 20 and 22, had beaten the capercaillie with a bottle on Saturday, killing it. The men claimed the animal had previously threatened them and that they had acted in self-defence.

According to the Badische Zeitung, the incident took place near the Todtnauer Hütte, approximately 150 metres from a hiking trail. A larger group of young people reportedly witnessed the incident and subsequently attacked the men. Both are said to have been punched, kicked, choked, and doused with beer, as police in Freiburg further reported. This also makes it less likely that the perpetrators killed the bird in self-defence.

Severe blows and kicks by the animal abusers

Todtnau capercaillie expert Christian Sütfeld told the Badische Zeitung that the capercaillie must have been struck repeatedly with a bottle and kicked. It had injuries to its head and chest, where feathers were missing. A bird like that can take quite a lot, which means the kicks and blows must have been severe. The cockerel appeared to have been in good health.

Police have now seized the bird as evidence and placed it in cold storage. The capercaillie is one of Germany's endangered species.

Der Auerwildexperte hat für das Verhalten der Täter kein Verständnis, vor allem, weil der 20-Jährige den Jagdschein habe. Ein Hobby-Jäger müsse ganz genau wissen, wie er sich zu verhalten habe, auch wenn er von einem Wildtier angegriffen werde: Er müsse sich zurückziehen. Das Tier totzuschlagen gehe gar nicht.

«Dort oben war niemand mehr nüchtern»

Sütfeld hofft nun, dass der junge Mann den Jagdschein verliert. Ein Auerhahn könne schon mal angreifen, wenn man sein Revier angreife. Man brauche aber keine Angst vor ihm zu haben.

Nach Polizeiangaben waren die Täter alkoholisiert. Für Sütfeld wäre das aber keine Ausrede. Offenbar waren sie am Laurentiusfest am Feldberg und «dort oben ist keiner mehr nüchtern», erklärte der Experte der Badischen Zeitung. Er fordert nun eine saftige Geldstrafe für die Tötung des Auerhahns.