After repeated attacks on a flock of sheep in Saint-Paul, the Haute-Vienne prefecture issued two decrees, one of which authorized defensive shooting against wolf predation.
The wolf fuels debates in Haute-Vienne. After a first attack attributed to the wolf after analysis, on Sunday May 5 in Saint-Léger-Magnazeix, attacks increased in the municipality of Saint-Paul.
A total of 25 animals were killed by an animal whose identity is not yet known. But whether it was a stray dog or a wolf, the prefecture quickly took action.
Defensive shots allowed
On Thursday 30 May, two orders were issued. The first to allow the neutralization of stray dogs due to “the presence of stray dogs in the municipalities of Saint-Paul and Saint-Genest-sur-Roselle” and repeated attacks. The other allows “simple defensive shots in defense of his pack against wolf predation”. “Four attacks were recorded from May 22 in just a few days.
In view of the significant mortality and the impact on exploitation, the Departmental Directorate of Territories (DDT) has provided several means of protection and deterrence, such as electric nets, camera traps or even random flashes,” specifies Stéphane Nuq, director of the DDT.
Louveterie* lieutenants and agents from the French Biodiversity Office were tasked with neutralizing the dogs roaming Saint-Paul “probably responsible for the attacks”.
In fact, if the first attacks were attributed to the wolf, it is impossible to confirm that the latter is responsible for the latest attacks. “At the moment, the louveterie agents have only carried out scare shots,” states Stéphane Nuq.
On the side of the Chamber of Agriculture, we welcome the prefect’s responsiveness. “We quickly contacted the prefect, because we have to respond to the farmer’s distress. Psychologically and economically, these attacks will have consequences for years. But we are really relieved when the responsible animal is euthanized,” assures Émilie Pons, deputy chairman of the Chamber of Agriculture.
Within the Haute-Vienne Rural Coordination, President Thomas Hégarty is not reassured: “We have been consulted and the attacks have stopped for several days, but this is not reassuring. The animal can attack again. We must clearly not allow wolves to settle down on our territory, breeding ground ».
Disputed orders
The animal association One Voice is no longer satisfied with the situation. The representatives quickly submitted a substantive appeal and a suspensive report to the administrative court, so that the decree of 30 May on the neutralization of stray dogs was suspended as soon as possible.
“Farmers have several effective protection measures that do not involve the death of an animal. But again, when the farm lobby demands action, we bend over backwards to give it. The state should instead make these protective measures mandatory and support breeders,” laments a representative of the association.
So far, no animal likely to be responsible for the attacks has been killed.
Louveterial lieutenants are volunteers responsible for killing wild animals.
