Hunter may have to pay €31,000 for illegally killing a brown bear

Latvia's State Police (VP) is continuing to investigate a case from last October, when a brown bear was illegally hunted in Taurupe parish, Ogre municipality. VP shared details of the case with "Delfi".

How the violation was discovered

On October 31 last year, VP received information from State Forest Service employees who had found evidence of illegal bear hunting. The report was confirmed when a deliberately killed brown bear was found in a car trailer. Police encountered two men at the scene, born in 1972 and 1976.

A criminal case was opened, hunting weapons and the illegally killed animal were seized, and forensic examinations were ordered.

Suspect and damages

The investigation established that the man born in 1972 shot the bear and he has now been given suspect status. The second man present, born in 1976, was found not to have participated in the crime, so criminal proceedings against him were terminated.

The bear that was killed was three years old. The suspect may have to compensate damages amounting to €31,000. The man had no prior record with police, and no security measure was applied to him.

Next steps

The criminal case was opened under Article 115 of the Criminal Law, concerning the destruction of specially protected animals. This crime carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to five years, short-term imprisonment, probationary supervision, community service, or a fine.

On September 2 this year, the case was handed over to the Pieriga Prosecutor's Office to begin criminal prosecution. VP reminds the public that no person is considered guilty until proven so in accordance with the law.