The Criminal Court of Palencia sentenced to two years in prison and four disqualifications for a man who shot a bear during a wild boar hunt in the Montaña Palentina Natural Park. The sanction was requested both by the prosecution, the commission of a crime against wildlifeand the Oso Pardo Foundation as a private prosecution.
The judicial resolution considers as proven the fact that the accused shot a brown bear from a distance of 25 meters. He did it, according to what they say“without taking the necessary precautions, intuitively and tenaciously, without correctly using the viewfinder he had despite to be warned and to know that he was in a bear zone.
The animal received bullet in the jaw and lost two bone fragments in the affected area. Additionally, he left a trail of blood at the scene. According to one of the participants in the hunt, the bear fled, staggeringand with a bloody mouth.
Bears have been seen in the area
“The hunter fired without checking or ensuring all the necessary security in the place where he was. the type of species or specimen he was shooting at. Something that is easily overcome, given that he is a regular resident of the area and has extensive experience,” the sentence states.
In addition, it turns out that that same morning, brown bears were seen in the area. Two of them even entered the hunting territory so we had to stop it the same thing until they leave the premises.
So, even though the defense alleges that it was all pure recklessness, the sentence qualifies the accused’s conduct as “possible fraud.” “Aware of the high risk created, we are taking action without caring, accepting the likely outcome of his actions.says the text.
The court, in this case, rejected the request for compensation for civil liability requested by the Public Ministry and the Popular Prosecution, since the Junta de Castilla y León, “in his capacity as a civil actor and directly injured party”, nor did he appear or provide an expert report to assess compensation.
Second conviction for a similar case
According to the Brown Bear Foundation, this is the second case of slaughter of this protected species in Palencia which has resulted in a conviction. In July it was ratified an equal to a hunter who killed a bear in 2020.
