Man fined 1,380 euros for firing air rifle to scare reindeer

A man from Ylitornio has been fined 1,380 euros for an animal welfare offence after firing an air rifle into the air to drive reindeer from his yard, Yle reported. The Lapland District Court sentenced him to 20 day-fines.

The man told the court he had tried shouting, clapping and making other noise, but the reindeer did not leave. He said he thought the sound of the air rifle would scare them away. He also said the reindeer had caused damage, but the court found no evidence to support that claim.

The court found that frightening the reindeer had caused them unnecessary suffering. However, it was not proven that they had been treated cruelly or caused pain.

The court noted that a startled reindeer could run into a tree and seriously injure itself. Stress and exertion can also harm reindeer: a pregnant female may delay giving birth by several weeks, while stress can cause a painful stomach ulcer or sudden muscle degeneration, which can be fatal.

The verdict is not yet final.