Reports of children harming wildlife increase across Finland

Reports of children and young people harming wild animals are increasing, according to animal welfare officials and organisations, Yle reports. The trend has been noticed in Helsinki and elsewhere in Finland, although no statistics are available.

Helsinki police reported violence against barnacle geese in August, and similar incidents have been reported in Lahti. Animal welfare workers say animals have been chased, kicked and attacked with sticks.

Hedgehogs can be particularly vulnerable in autumn, when they are moving slowly as they seek places to hibernate. Helsinki’s chief municipal veterinary inspector, Päivi Lahti, said she had heard of a hedgehog curled into a ball being kicked around like a football. Young birds are also frequent targets of harassment, she said.

Nella Muurinen, chair of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Animal Welfare Association, said the organisation had heard of similar cases in other parts of the country. Lahti said some children may harm animals because they do not understand that animals are sentient beings.

Excessive attempts to care for wildlife can also cause harm. Young birds and rabbits that appear to be alone should usually be left undisturbed, as their parents are often nearby. Muurinen said keeping wild animals in dollhouses, as shown in some online videos, can be as harmful as violence and may lead to their deaths.

Helsinki’s city environment division is preparing the city’s first animal welfare programme and plans to work with its education division to create materials on animals and their proper treatment for early childhood and primary education. Police say harming wild animals is illegal and punishable, and urge people to report suspected cruelty to authorities.