In the German region of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark, hunters are allowed to shoot cats under certain conditions. Last year, they killed 2,580 animals, according to the NDR broadcaster.
In one district alone, Nordfriesland, 660 cats were shot during this time. The law stipulates that hunters may shoot cats if they are at least 200 meters away from the nearest house.
Animal rights activists have criticized this measure, saying that it cannot continue in this manner. However, local hunters defend the practice, arguing that it only applies to “feral” cats, which breed uncontrollably and pose a threat to local biodiversity by killing large numbers of birds. The Schleswig-Holstein Hunters’ Association claims that there are around 75,000 feral cats in the region.
In other German federal states, such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg, it is illegal to shoot feral cats. In Lower Saxony, it is still allowed, but there is an active debate on the issue. Schleswig-Holstein, however, has no plans to change its rules, with authorities insisting that by killing cats, hunters are helping other species to survive.
Another concern arises: Can hunters reliably distinguish between feral cats and the native European wildcat (pictured)? According to the environmental organization BUND Naturschutz, the total population of wildcats in Germany is estimated to be between 6,000 and 8,000. They are primarily found in the southern and central parts of the country but can also be found in more remote northern areas. Although wildcats have not been observed in Schleswig-Holstein, a video camera recorded one for the first time this August in neighboring Lower Saxony.
