We condemn the shooting of dogs! – this is how the local government commented on the dramatic events on Friday in the Bauska region. The four-legged friends of farmer and influencer Modris Konovalov wandered onto someone else's territory, where, according to witnesses, they attacked a roe deer and threatened people. Today, the municipality acknowledged that the decision to shoot the animals was excessive. An internal investigation has been initiated, and a criminal case has been opened, reports the Degpunktā program (TV3).
Lost dogs ended up on the territory of a private farm in Brunava. Farmer Modris Konovalov reported on his Instagram on Friday evening that three of his dogs had been shot in the Brunava municipality. On the same day, the local municipal police confirmed that the dogs were shot by hunters in the presence of the police to protect the homeowner and local residents. The dogs were also fighting among themselves, as evidenced by bite marks on their muzzles.
The owner admits that the dogs ran away; however, in his opinion, this could not justify their extermination. He believes that specialists in dog capture should have been called to identify them by their chips. To avoid interfering with the investigation, Konovalov refrains from commenting, posting only black-and-white photos in memory of his deceased pets on his Instagram.
To clarify the situation, a press conference was convened by the Bauska municipality. Its chairman acknowledged that shooting the dogs was unjustified. Although the animals ended up on someone else's territory and behaved aggressively, their shooting was too radical a measure.
"We condemn those who made such a decision – to take such a step and, in my opinion, act so excessively by shooting the dogs. A completely different solution could have been found, and that is absolutely certain!" said the chairman of the Bauska municipality, Aivars Maceks.
The municipal police will assess what happened; however, two parallel administrative proceedings have also been initiated – regarding the killing of a roe deer by the dogs and due to the fact that the animals were allowed to roam. A photograph of the torn-apart roe deer with the dogs nearby is circulating on social media. The police confirmed that the photo is authentic – it was taken from a distance by a municipal police officer, as approaching the animals was extremely dangerous.
"Since it was believed that the animals were very aggressive, and judging by the statement of the resident, her life was in danger – she had to flee urgently, and she barely managed to get into her house to avoid a threat to her life and health – hunters were also involved. However, the hunters were invited not to kill the animals but to assess the situation – to observe and wait for dog capture specialists," clarified the head of the Bauska municipal police, Egils Gailis.
As part of the internal investigation, recordings from the cameras on the bodies of municipal police officers, which captured what happened, will be examined. Many uncertainties and questions remain, the answers to which will be provided by the internal investigation.
[TV3 News: Is it known who gave the order to shoot? After all, this is a crucial moment – was the decision made by the hunters or the police?] "According to the information available at the moment, such a decision was not made. (...) No one gave the command to eliminate the animals. Specialists in animal capture were called, but unfortunately, what happened happened," Maceks stated.
The State Police has initiated a criminal case regarding animal cruelty. Such a crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years.
