A video showing ducks being driven into the air and killed to be used for training hunting dogs in a club in the Meuse has led to the opening of an investigation, the prosecutor’s office announced on Wednesday, October 9. le-Duc. Naturalist Pierre Rigaux, founder of the association “Our Viventia” (We the living), shared a video on social networks on September 26 in a blurred version in which they announced the filing of a complaint.
“We have not received any complaints at this time.” Bar-le-Duc public prosecutor Sofian Saboulard told AFP. But the magistrate opened an investigation, entrusted to the Commercy Gendarmerie Company, “for the possible identification of a criminal act”. Rules prohibit violence against animals in captivity, which could be the case with these ducks. In the video, a car brings boxes full of ducks. They are taken out to be placed in devices which are used to propel them into the air. Others are thrown into the hand of a hunter. “As soon as the duck is driven forward, a hunter will shoot it”comments the association’s founder.
These photos, taken at the edge of a private pond in Vigneulles-lès-Hâttonchatel (Meuse) at the end of September during an event organized by the Retriever Club de France (RCF), sparked indignation on social networks. Dying ducks appear on the screen. Then the dogs intervene “come and get the ducks”says Pierre Rigaux. He in turn intervenes in the video on the last day of the event to ask the hunters if they still kill animals on these weekends.
“Now we work with contributors”plastic lures, assures one of them, anonymous in the video. Which is false, Pierre Rigaux insists with supporting images. The controversy spread to pet food brand Royal Canin France, whose logo appeared at the event. “We do not sponsor any activities related to hunting”informs the company in a press release. “The Retriever Club of France confirms that it does not have a partnership contract linking it with the Royal Canin companies” and Purina Proplan, whose logo also appeared on the event panels, responded on social networks the president of the RCF, Bruno Facq. “The organizer, aware of the mistakes made during the demonstration, resigned and sanctions will be taken in accordance with the statutes and regulations”he continued.
