Hobby Hunter Shoots Owl for Fun

A long-eared owl, named “Vira” by animal welfare volunteers in Bellinzona, died after being shot by a hobby hunter in Gambarogno.

“After the owl encountered a sinister individual armed with a rifle on its flight path, this has nothing to do with hunting ethics,” say the animal welfare advocates in a statement.

The Bellinzona animal welfare organisation condemns such actions and is saddened to see that, despite growing awareness of respect for nature, there are still individuals who rage against wildlife already under pressure from human activities.

Severely Injured Owl Had to Be Euthanised

The incident occurred approximately ten days ago. A hobby hunter noticed unusual behaviour in his dog, found the owl on the ground, and immediately alerted the game warden. The latter then handed the severely injured owl over to the animal welfare organisation in Bellinzona.

Taken immediately for examination to the Keller and Pedretti veterinary office, the sad discovery was made: Vira had been struck by multiple shots that had broken the joint of her right wing. The owl had to be euthanised both due to the impossibility of restoring the wing and due to her overall health condition and the severe infection already present.

Criminal Complaint Filed

Based on the injuries found, the cruel act was carried out two or three days before the discovery. The cantonal Office for Hunting and Fishing has launched an investigation into the matter. Several elements have already made it possible to narrow the circle in order to identify the possible hobby hunter.

IG Wild beim Wild has filed a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor’s office in Lugano. Such cases of wildlife crime by recreational hunters are unfortunately not uncommon, as numerous documented animal welfare issues with recreational hunting and the analysis of hunting myths show.