Let us recall. On Tuesday 14 April in Szczytnica, an injured roe deer, most likely hit by a car, was reported. A police patrol and—following residents’ report—a wildlife rehabilitation centre were sent to the scene; the centre arrived after several minutes.

When the staff arrived, the animal was already dead. According to witnesses, a man at the scene who was a hunter decided on his own to euthanize it in the presence of a police officer. He reportedly did so using a knife. A recording appeared online in which the emotional reaction of a witness questioning the decision can be heard.

The police reported that officers found an injured roe deer and a licensed hunter, who decided that the animal had no chance of surviving and took a decision appropriate to the situation. After the incident, the body was taken to a veterinarian—the examination revealed numerous injuries, including a fractured spine.

Activities are currently under way to determine whether the actions complied with the regulations. The prosecutor’s office was notified of the matter.

Statement of the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters

Statement concerning a police intervention in Szczytnica, Bolesławiec County

On 14 April 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the duty officer of the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters recorded reports that an injured animal, probably hit by a vehicle, was lying by the road in Szczytnica.

Police officers from Bolesławiec County who attended the incident found a roe deer lying on the ground with visible injuries. A man was also present at the scene; the officers knew him to be a hunter with statutory authority to decide the animal’s further fate.

Initial findings indicate that the man assessed its condition as offering no prospect of recovery and made a decision he deemed appropriate to the situation.

The officers’ subsequent actions involved transporting the animal to an authorized veterinarian, who, after examining it, found numerous external injuries and a fractured spine.

The legal aspects of this type of action are governed by the provisions of the Animal Protection Act.

The Bolesławiec County Police Commander ordered actions aimed at determining whether the decisions and actions taken were appropriate.

junior aspirant Bartłomiej Sobczyszyn

Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters