“Toto” the wild boar will not be euthanized, confirms the Douai Court of Appeal

The animal had been threatened with euthanasia since a court decision on July 12. A strong mobilization followed to save the boar’s life.

Toto the wild boar is saved. The Douai Court of Appeal finally confirmed, on Friday, July 26, a first instance court decision opposing the euthanasia of the animal, according to a decision of which AFP obtained a copy. This wild boar had benefited from an initial favorable judgment rendered by the Arras judicial court on June 12, but the prosecution had appealed. On July 12, the Douai Court of Appeal overturned this decision and ordered the euthanasia of the animal.

Elevated to a symbol by animal protection associations, this wild boar had been taken in as a wild boar in October by a family from Pas-de-Calais during a hunting party in Aisne, during which it had been injured. However, the possession of a wild animal taken from the wild is prohibited in France.

The city of Charleville-Mézières (Ardennes) had filed an appeal, joined by the animal protection association Stéphane Lamart. The municipality and its mayor, Boris Ravignon, proposed to welcome the wild boar into the Ardennes municipal park. On Tuesday, the president of the urban community of Arras, Frédéric Leturque, had declared that he had “solemnly asked the president of the Douai Court of Appeal to prevent the death” wild boar.

In its decision issued on Friday, “in accordance with what was argued by the town hall of Charleville-Mézières and the Stéphane Lamart association”, The Court of Appeal considered that “the public prosecutor did not have the authority to appeal the order issued on June 12” by the president of the judicial court of Arras. Thus, she declared the appeal of the prosecution “inadmissible” and the provisions ordering “wild boar euthanasia” have been “retracted”.

“Toto will be able to live. Justice is on the side of animals and those who protect them.”Christophe Gérard, lawyer for the Stéphane Lamart association, rejoiced to AFP.

Seized by the gendarmerie, the wild boar has been in the Arras animal pound since November. The courts accused the wild boar of representing “a health hazard”The animal was also suspected of carrying the diseaseAujeszkyor swine rabies.