After a shocking discovery:

“Pigeons ran into the traps by themselves”

Animal rights activists were shocked when they were called to a forest in Braunau last week. As reported, an observant hiker had found a trap there with a live pigeon as supposed bait. Legally, however, the discovery has no consequences, as the “Krone” has now learned.

The activists called to the Braunau forest then found a second trap, also containing live pigeons. Tom Putzgruber, chairman of the RespekTiere association, suspected that birds of prey such as hawks were intended to be lured into one of the traps. For the animal rights activist, live bait is cruel: “You can imagine the fear the animals must be experiencing in there,” said Putzgruber.

No Criminal Investigation
However, the discovery will have no legal consequences, as the “Krone” has now learned. Although a complaint of animal cruelty was filed against the person suspected of setting the traps and was reviewed, “No criminal investigation will be launched,” says Alois Ebner of the Ried public prosecutor’s office, which has jurisdiction over the case.

The individual in question explained that he had set up the traps because there was a significant rat problem in the area.

Alois Ebner, leitender Staatsanwalt in Ried

The traps were intended for rats
Reason: “The officers could not determine whether the pigeons had been trapped by him or not. In case of doubt, there was no basis for an initial suspicion of animal cruelty.” The case is therefore already closed by the judicial authorities.

The accused stated that he had set up the traps because of a rat problem in the forest. The pigeons then walked into the traps on their own.

The animals were reportedly released in good health, and the traps were removed.