A stag took refuge on Sunday, November 8, in the garden of a resident of Pierrefonds (Oise), at the end of a hunt with hounds in the Forest of Compiègne. Several residents intervened to protect it.
A few moments earlier, the dogs were trying to force their way through the fence to reach it. Local residents set themselves the goal of preventing the hunters from approaching the stag.
Last week, an incident of the same kind had occurred, and no one had opposed the hunt with hounds.
The hunting association maintains that this outcome complies with the regulations.
"What forced the hunt-with-hounds crew yesterday to 'spare' this animal, even if I don't really like that term, is the fact that residents determined to save it were present,"says a person who was there. According to remarks reported on the applicable rule,"when an animal finds itself at bay at the end of the hunt, near homes, in private gardens, at that moment it is spared.".