Controversial Wolf Shooting: Politician Till Backhaus at Legal Odds After She-Wolf's Death
Minister Backhaus Accused of Hunting Violation Following Wolf Slaying - Minister Backhaus in Danger of Legal Action Following Wolf Slaying
Here's the lowdown:
Five years ago, a she-wolf met an untimely end in Rostock, reportedly due to her persistent advances towards a domestic dog, possibly even breeding with it. Now, the man responsible for ordering the shooting, Till Backhaus, a member of the SPD and the local Landtag, may find himself facing legal consequences. According to the public prosecutor's office in Rostock, there's enough evidence suggesting that the shooting transgressed the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
The allegations center around Backhaus influencing the issuance of a permit for the wolf's elimination from the district office responsible. To move forward with charges, the parliamentary immunity shielding Backhaus must first be lifted. On a recent Wednesday, the Landtag's Legal Committee, acting upon the public prosecutor's office's request, recommended the suspension of Backhaus' immunity to the parliament. Assuming the parliament agrees in the subsequent week, charges against Backhaus can then be brought to light.
Backhaus defends wolf shooting justification
At the time, Backhaus reasoned the wolf cub's elimination on grounds of species protection. This stance hasn't waivered. "Granted in March 2020, a shooting permit was issued for the wolf cub upon the Ministry of Environment's request, who had repeatedly approached a farm dog. This dog-wolf rendezvous posed a risk of hybridization," Backhaus conveyed in Schwerin.
Upon examining the killed animal in April 2020, it was found that the she-wolf was not pregnant. The ministry stated that attempts to capture the animal and equip it with a tracking device were unsuccessful prior to the shooting.
Prosecutor sees preventive wolf shooting as legal infringement
Initially, the shooting, commissioned with an exemption permit from the district office, was deemed legal. However, in early 2021, the Higher Administrative Court in Greifswald overturned this ruling. This development led to the prosecution authority becoming involved.
The prosecution office claims that shooting wolf hybrids is the only action allowed in the name of species protection, but preventive elimination of an alleged pregnant she-wolf is a violation.
Backhaus expresses bewilderment at the charges
The Rostock public prosecutor's office's decision to indict Backhaus struck him as misguided. "The allegations are baseless. Those involved acted lawfully to prevent hybridization, a fact confirmed by a ruling from the administrative court," Backhaus asserted. The legality of the wolf cub shooting permit is currently under deliberation in an appeal process before the Federal Administrative Court.
- Till Backhaus
- She-wolf
- Rostock district
- Public prosecutor's office
- Rostock
- Charges
- Schwerin
- SPD
In broader context, this incident highlights the complexities surrounding wolf conservation efforts and the role of government authorities in enforcing wildlife protection laws. The charges against Till Backhaus remain unfolding, with the German legal system determining his guilt or innocence in the coming weeks.
- The public prosecutor's office in Rostock is considering charges against SPD member Till Backhaus, who is a member of the Landtag, for the shooting of a she-wolf five years ago in Rostock.
- Till Backhaus, the subject of the charges, argues that the she-wolf was shot under a shooting permit issued by the Ministry of Environment due to concerns about hybridization with a domestic dog.
- Despite Backhaus' justification, the Rostock public prosecutor's office views the preventive elimination of the alleged pregnant she-wolf as a violation of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
- The Ministry of Environment previously stated that attempts to capture and track the she-wolf were unsuccessful before the shooting.
- The potential conviction of Till Backhaus could shed light on the controversies surrounding wolf conservation efforts and the enforcement of wildlife protection laws by government authorities.
