Sunday October 4, 2026, in a wood in the Ardennes, 3 fishermen witnessed a heartbreaking scene: they saw a man arrive with a dog, before an explosion rang out… Alerted by these witnesses, the gendarmes then spent nearly 3 hours combing the area to find the animal, Tino, alive but injured. A license plate noted on the spot would then weigh heavily in the rest of the story…
Nearly 3 hours raking the wood
The soldiers searched the area for nearly 3 hours, supported by firefighters from the Sdiscoming from Charleville-Mézières with a unit specializing in the capture of domestic and wild animals, including snakes. A competition presented as essential to the successful outcome of this research: “ The dog was eventually found, alive, but injured and particularly frightened. », say the soldiers.
The doggie had therefore survived a point-blank shot in the middle of the forest, but not without injuries: he was hit in the forehead, and a Vouzin veterinarian extracted a 22 caliber ammunition from the right side of his neck.
The survivor, named Tinowas then welcomed by the League in the interest of society and the animal (Lisa), who took over after the emergency services intervened.
A plaque that leads to a couple
The fishermen's testimonies and the registration number allowed investigators to trace a couple, so that on Wednesday October 7, the gendarmes of Vouziers and of Rethel arrested the man and woman whom the witnesses had described.
“ During their hearings, the two defendants admitted the facts. They explain their action by the behavior of the dog, which allegedly showed aggression towards their one-year-old son. »
An explanation put forward by the couple themselves, and which nothing else can establish.
Suspension and ban on keeping an animal
The criminal court of Charleville-Mézières sentenced the man to 6 months suspended prison sentence, accompanied by a ban on keeping an animal. Furthermore, 2 other dogs were confiscated and also taken in by the police. Lisato which he will have to pay 500 euros in damages as well as various veterinary costs.
His partner received half as much, or 3 months in prison, and she will no longer be able to own an animal either, a measure presented as definitive.
Tino and the 2 other confiscated dogs are doing well with the association, which is now watching over them. All they have to do is find, as quickly as possible, a family for good!