Shot Deer Bartek Was Friendly. People Are Shocked and Ask: How Could Someone Do This?

Deer Bartek lived in Szklarska Poręba. He was not afraid of people. He was a gentle, tame animal. He often approached properties and eagerly ate the treats people gave him. He allowed himself to be petted. He posed for photos and videos. Everyone knew and liked him.

Unfortunately, on the night of Sunday, 18 December, someone shot the animal. One of the residents of Szklarska Poręba heard the shot. When he looked out the window, he saw the animal staggering before collapsing a moment later.

The 24jgora.pl website reports on the case:

It was approaching midnight when I heard a shot right outside the window – reports Mr Sebastian, who was essentially a witness to the incident – I looked out the window and saw a deer we all knew very well; the animal was unsteady on its feet and fell after a moment. Several dozen metres away, I saw the light of a flashlight. I left the house and shouted in that direction: “What is going on here?” In response, an unknown man said that he was shooting at wild boar, had permission and was going after a dog. I also asked why he was shooting at an animal standing so close to my house. He replied that he was allowed to do so and that there was an announcement on the town’s websites. Then he turned off the flashlight and withdrew. Knowing that I was dealing with an armed person, I did not chase him, although I walked a short distance in that direction. Unfortunately, he disappeared into the darkness.

Mr Sebastian notified the police, but they initially refused to accept the report and directed him to the hunting association or forest rangers. The foresters who arrived at the scene were outraged by what they saw. The case is shocking, and there is probably no doubt that this was poaching.

The fact that deer Bartek had been shot first moved residents of Szklarska Poręba and the surrounding area, and then people throughout Poland. The story reached local and national media. People feel grief and anger about what happened and are expressing it in online comments.

How could someone do this? – they ask.

There is a suspicion that the deer was shot by a poacher on so-called “guest appearances.” The hunting community strongly distances itself from this shocking incident. The police are currently investigating the death of the deer. A fundraiser has been set up to identify and punish the person who shot Bartek.

The lwowecki.info website reports:

Edyta Bagrowska, press officer of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Jelenia Góra, admitted in a conversation with us that police officers from Jelenia Góra are carrying out activities aimed at identifying the perpetrator. As she says, witnesses are currently being interviewed and evidence is being secured.