Hobby hunter shoots at mountain biker

In Spain, José Miguel Torán was enjoying a sunny bike ride along the forest path Monte Orgergia in Alicante.

The route is particularly popular with horse riders, cyclists, and hikers. Suddenly, he was struck by bullets.

Hobby hunter mistakes cyclist for a hare

Torán, who was wearing colourful cycling gear and a helmet during the ride, had passed two hobby hunters just moments before he was shot at. Apparently, the unnamed wildlife killer mistook him for a hare during the hobby hunt and fired a cartridge in Torán's direction, as The Olive Press reports.

Fortunately, it was not a single bullet, which could easily have killed him. The cartridge consisted of around a hundred pellets, which lodged in Torán's skin across his entire lower back, buttocks, and legs.

After the local emergency services were called to the scene, Torán was treated on the spot. His wounds continue to be monitored by doctors to determine whether further treatment is required. Although he suffered no serious injuries or damage to vital organs, paramedics had to remove 20 pellets from his body.

Not an isolated case: hunting accidents are on the rise

Speaking to police, the hobby hunter explained that he had mistaken the movements of the cyclist for those of a rabbit. He also admitted to having fired a pellet-filled cartridge at him.

This type of incident is not uncommon, as cyclists and hobby hunters often frequent the same terrain. In 2018, a British cyclist was shot and killed by a hobby hunter in Morzine.

Since this area is popular not only with day-trippers but also with hobby hunters, such incidents had already occurred on several occasions in the past. Although Torán is aware that it was an accident, he is considering reporting the wildlife killer to the authorities. The latter could lose his hunting licence due to negligence. José Miguel Torán is also insisting that the police open an investigation into illegal hobby hunting in recreational areas.