Man fined for spraying dog deterrent on basking adder
Thursday 22nd October 2026 on 06:15 in
Finland
A man has been fined for spraying a dog-repellent product on an adder basking on a rock, Yle reports. The Satakunta District Court found him guilty of animal welfare and nature conservation offences and ordered him to pay 25 day-fines.
The court said the man deliberately caused unnecessary suffering to the protected snake, which posed no threat to people or animals. He sprayed it at close range with a product intended to deter dog attacks that irritates the skin and eyes.
Video footage was submitted as evidence. A veterinarian told the court the spray causes intense stinging and that using it on an animal is painful and causes unnecessary suffering. The man admitted to the conduct described in the charges.
The ruling is not final and can be appealed.