Overview

• Manuel Merlhiot, a member of the Longo Maï community, admitted to killing seven hunting dogs in December 2023, claiming they attacked the community's pigs.
• Prosecutors have argued that Merlhiot's actions were disproportionate and have requested an eight-month suspended sentence.
• The hunters, Boris and Benoit, are accused of allowing their dogs to roam freely during a hunting event, leading to the incident, and face potential fines.
• The trial has drawn significant public attention, with around 300 hunters gathering outside the courthouse in support of the accused hunters.
• The case underscores broader cultural tensions between traditional rural hunting practices and the alternative agricultural lifestyle of the Longo Maï community.