When recreational hunting targets pets

The organization speaks of a «sommerso», a submersion of reality.

What is not recorded does not exist statistically. And what does not exist statistically generates neither political pressure nor structural consequences. The platform relies on media reports, police statements and court documents where available.

A «war bulletin» instead of reliable statistics

Because reliable official figures are lacking, the organization chooses a different approach. It documents individual cases chronologically and source-based. For the period from September 1 to December 31, 2025, an initial case collection was published, announcing a comprehensive dossier for 2025 and 2026.

Journalistically, this approach is revealing. It shows how systematically the problem is downplayed. Each incident is treated as an isolated individual case. In total, however, a pattern emerges. This exact pattern disappears when no one brings it together.

What becomes visible in the documented cases

Even the preliminary chronology shows that these are not random exceptions. Recurring constellations and risks become visible:

• A house cat is severely injured by a gunshot and remains permanently paralyzed in the hind legs.
• In neighborhood conflicts, armed threats against people and dogs occur, sometimes followed by weapon confiscation.
• At the beginning of hunting season, poison baits are placed that specifically endanger dogs and cats.
• Shooting occurs in immediate proximity to an animal shelter, causing panic among animals and staff.
• A horse is killed by a hunting projectile in a pasture. The animal is clearly identifiable and not standing in the forest.
• In another case, a hobby hunter is only sentenced to a fine after shooting a tomcat, a signal that factually devalues the killed animal.

The organization announces it will publish the complete dossier in early 2026. Additional chapters on crimes, abuse, minors, political responsibility, and legal frameworks are planned.

Why this also affects Switzerland

In Switzerland too, recreational hunting is mostly presented as technical wildlife management. Shooting quotas, populations, and economic damage are discussed. What is often ignored: recreational hunting is an armed leisure practice in public spaces.

Where weapons are regularly used, risks arise. These risks affect not only wild animals, but also pets, walkers, children, and agricultural livestock. Pets play a special role in this. They connect the abstract hunting debate with the lived reality of many people.

When a dog is hit during a walk, when a cat doesn't come home anymore, or when poison baits lie along paths, the argument of rarity loses its credibility. This is exactly why the dark figure remains so politically convenient.

The blind spot: Report, record, take responsibility

The approach from Italy is fundamentally an appeal for transparency. Without systematic recording, any safety debate remains one-sided. Hunting organizations can invoke missing numbers. Those affected remain alone with grief, costs, and fear. Media only report on spectacular exceptions.

A responsible policy would have to implement at least three points:

1. Uniform and low-threshold reporting channels for incidents with hunting weapons in the vicinity of settlements, paths, pastures, and animal shelters.
2. Public annual reports on hunting incidents, separated by personal injuries, pets, wild animals, property damage, and threats.
3. Independent evaluation instead of self-control by hunting-related bodies.

As long as this is missing, safety remains a buzzword without substance.