Politicians unperturbed

“Right of self-defense against wolves”: Franz Hörl charged

Franz Hörl

(Bild: Johanna Birbaumer)

Because the Zillertal politician insists on the right of self-defense in the fight against the large predators, the public prosecutor's office is now investigating. "I will not be shut up," says Hörl.

A complaint has been filed against Tyrolean National Councillor Franz Hörl (ÖVP) with the public prosecutor's office in Innsbruck. The reason is his demand for a right of self-defense against wolves in order to protect local mountain pastures and agriculture.

I will not be intimidated. We must have the right to defend ourselves against wolves. It is incomprehensible to place predators above a cultural landscape that is thousands of years old.

NR Franz Hörl (ÖVP)

However, the experienced entrepreneur, who has been farming in the Zillertal for more than 45 years, remains calm: "I will not be intimidated and will continue to stand firmly on the side of the population - especially the farmers. They must have the right to defend themselves against the wolf if their livestock is attacked. It is incomprehensible that a predator is placed above the existence of a cultural landscape that is thousands of years old."

Alpine farming and safety are at stake
He sees this in a similar way to the representatives of the "Weidezone Tirol" - the "Krone" reported on Tuesday. He points to the growing insecurity among farmers, who no longer drive their animals to the alpine pastures for fear of attacks. "If we don't act, we are not only risking the alpine pasture economy, but the entire rural area." Alpine pasture farming is not only essential for agriculture, but also for tourism, which is an important pillar in Austria.

For Hörl, it is therefore clear that the shooting of wolves must be unpunished in an emergency: "It is time to recognize the wolf for what it is - a dangerous predator. When wolves enter our habitats, they not only endanger the safety of humans and animals!" The ad does nothing to change this. "If political rivals and some associations believe they can take the side of the wolf, this is a false understanding of animal welfare that I reject. I will not change my opinion!"