“Tassilo” was first caught in a live trap in May, then beaten to death and shot. The accused hunter also admitted to this crime, but still escaped without a criminal record. The court in Upper Austria made him an offer of diversion, which he accepted.
The case of the five-kilo tomcat “Tassilo” caused national outrage. The five-year-old housecat fell into a hunter’s trap in a forest in St. Marienkirchen near Schärding in May of this year. But instead of returning ‘Tassilo’ unharmed to its owner, the hunter is said to have brutally killed the four-legged runaway. According to a veterinary autopsy, the 33-year-old probably killed and shot the animal.
Criminal investigations
The man admitted the murder to the police and also to the owner. He gave ‘fear of young pheasants’ as the motive. The hunter was under criminal investigation for animal abuse. However, there will be no trial because the 33-year-old has received a diversion offer (out of court) from the regional court of Ried.
Pre-punishment is spared
Since the Public Prosecutor’s Office also agreed, the hunter was obliged to pay a fine (according to information “Krone” 350 euros) and to pay compensation of the same amount to the owner. The diversion is already legally binding and the criminal proceedings have been stopped. The 33-year-old is spared a criminal record.
“I don’t think it’s right that he gets off so cheap. I’m going to take him to court,” says cat owner Leopold D. (64). He froze the carcass of his ‘Tassilo’ in the freezer for evidence purposes.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
