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Crime & Hunting

Young person (18) shot dead in hunting accident

Two 18-year-olds were hunting crows in Lower Saxony when one strayed into the other's line of fire and was fatally struck.

Editorial Wild beim Wild — 19 August 2023

Fatal shot during crow hunt

Two young people (both 18) from the Lower Saxony municipality of Dötlingen (Oldenburg district) were out crow hunting together in the early hours of Saturday morning, 19 August, in the district of Ostrittrum, when the fatal accident occurred.

According to current findings, at around 7 a.m. one of the young people strayed into the line of fire of his acquaintance, was struck and fatally injured. As the police reported, both hobby hunters were in possession of a hunting licence.

Investigation for negligent homicide

Police said they had launched an investigation and secured the weapons used. The shooter had fired only one shot. Whether the victim was struck by one or more shotgun pellets remained unclear. An autopsy is expected to provide clarity.

According to current findings, everything points to a tragic hunting accident, it was stated. The police have since opened an investigation on initial suspicion of negligent homicide during a hobby hunt.

Pointless crow hunt with shotguns

Shotguns are typically used in crow hunting. So-called decoy crows are also frequently employed to lure the animals. IG Wild beim Wild systematically documents hunting accidents and criminal activity.

More on this in the dossier: Hunting and animal welfare

Further articles

More recent hunting accidents and documented criminal offences involving hobby hunters can be found here: Chronicle of hunting accidents and criminal offences at Abschaffung der Jagd and in the Chronicle of hunting accidents in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at PETA.

You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose mercy on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan.
More on the topic of hobby hunting: In our dossier on hunting we compile fact checks, analyses and background reports.

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