Ardèche Trial Highlights Tensions Between Longo Maï Community and Hunters

The ongoing trial examines the killing of seven hunting dogs by a Longo Maï member, with cultural, legal, and ideological divides on full display.

Manuel Merlhiot, a member of the Longo Maï community, is on trial for killing seven hunting dogs he claimed were attacking his pigs in December 2023.
The prosecution has requested an eight-month suspended sentence for Merlhiot, calling his actions a 'disproportionate reaction.'
Two hunters, accused of allowing their dogs to roam freely and attack livestock, face potential fines, though they deny negligence, citing the region's difficult terrain.
The trial has drawn significant public attention, with 300 hunters protesting outside the courthouse in support of their peers.
The case underscores broader cultural and ideological conflicts in rural France, reflecting tensions between traditional hunting practices and alternative lifestyles like those of Longo Maï.