Tomcat «Peach» shot dead – hobby hunter invokes the law
A shot to the head, a lifeless body, a devastated family: the tomcat “Peach” was killed by a hobby hunter – and entirely legally. For Ruth Duscher, a veterinarian from Lower Austria, it is an inconceivable scandal. “This was not a wild animal, but a family member. Just like our children, our dogs. And then someone simply shoots him – just because they are allowed to!”
In Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland, the shooting of cats is permitted.
A law that effectively makes domestic cats fair game. «Peach» was caught in a live trap, and the hobby-hunter dispatched him with a single shot – without hesitation. Afterwards, he offered a brief apology. Nothing more.
Hobby hunters regard cats as ‘problem animals’
For the hunting fraternity, this is routine. Hans Wörmke from Pinneberg speaks openly: “Cats” are not a natural part of our ecosystem. “They cause considerable damage.” In Schleswig-Holstein alone, more than 2’500 cats were shot in the past year – animals that were, in most cases, beloved family pets.
The fact that an animal that has lived alongside humans for thousands of years can suddenly be branded an ‘invasive species’ and killed is provoking growing outrage. Critics speak of a ‘licence to kill’ that turns domestic pets into targets.
Nature conservation organisations point to the high toll: up to 40 million birds are said to fall victim to cats in Austria every year. But does that really justify allowing hobby hunters to shoot domestic pets? “That is like banning cars because road deaths exist,” counters one animal welfare organisation.
The Arte documentary “Re: Hunting Cats?” on Thursday (4 September) at 7:40 pm touches on an emotional subject. A problem for which there seems to be no solution. A recurring point of contention: is the animal in question truly feral? This depends, among other things, on the distance to the nearest inhabited property.
An unsolvable conflict – or political failure?
The politicians are ducking out. While hobby hunters continue to shoot and pet owners continue to grieve, the number of victims on both sides grows. Because every animal killed is not just a number in the statistics – but a broken heart, a family in mourning.
For Ruth Duscher, only pain remains – and rage. “The fact that someone goes out and kills my animal simply because the law permits it is a slap in the face. To me, this is state-sanctioned animal murder.”
“Peach” is more than an isolated case. His death stands for a system that criminalises cats and allows hobby hunters to play the role of enforcers of the “ecological balance.” A scandal that has long been crying out for political consequences.
