Tyrol: Concentrated, Twofold Violence
The authorities in Tyrol threatened, came, and killed. In the small village of Kaisers, 33 red deer were shot in a so-called “regulation enclosure.” The word “regulation” simultaneously sanitizes and euphemizes the brutal act of violence.
The authorities in Tyrol threatened, came, and killed. In the small village of Kaisers 33 red deer were shot in a so-called “regulation enclosure.” The word “regulation” simultaneously sanitizes and euphemizes the brutal act of violence.
The animals had no chance of escape after they were lured into the enclosure with food during the harsh winter. The images speak for themselves. For 45 minutes, the red deer ran frantically and desperately, fighting for their lives. Blood can be seen on the enclosure fences; in the foreground, one animal has a shattered jaw, and there are gunshot wounds across many parts of the bodies, leaving them utterly torn apart.
A citizens’ initiative had tried to prevent the authorities’ use of force — without success. The veterinary office justified its actions with the alarming spectre of bovine tuberculosis, speaking of necessary measures (at a prevalence of just 2%!).
Such a course of action in Tyrol is horrifying and devoid of any compassion. It would be interesting to know who the shooters were, as it appears that large parts of the hunting community refused to take part in the massacre.
For the poor animals, however, there is no help left. One can only hope that in future, organisations and animal-friendly people will join forces to prevent killing orders such as this one.
In Kaisers, the distress among residents runs deep. “What is shocking is how they were killed. The fact that they were jumping around in a panic for 45 minutes, running into the fences until they were torn apart. What is ‘not humane’ if something like this counts as ‘humane’?” asked an outraged local resident.
Martin Moosbrugger, a hunter from Steeg, recounted that shots were fired at the red deer for 45 minutes. "Then the game warden, the mayor, and I went in. At first they wanted to stop us, but we eventually got in. One calf was still alive — the mayor filmed it. 17 animals were lying in the corner; one animal had torn off its entire muzzle when it jumped into the enclosure. One animal had barely any hair left because they had all been trampled on it. They carried out a massacre for 45 minutes — that is not in keeping with animal welfare standards.“
