Overview

• On June 20 at Brombachsee lake a two-meter, 90-kilogram Wels catfish injured at least five swimmers during the Burning Beach music festival
• Police deemed the fish a continued safety risk and a deputy fired multiple shots before anglers recovered the carcass
• PETA announced on June 24 it will lodge a criminal complaint, calling the killing of a protected species unlawful
• The Ansbach public prosecutor’s office confirms that no formal charges or complaints have been filed to date
• Advocates say the catfish was likely defending its nest during spawning and urge nonlethal measures and clearer wildlife safety protocols