Mehedinți: Inquiry Launched Following Driver Striking Swan and Leaving Accident Scene

Following the release of images depicting the accident, officers from the Animal Protection Office of the Mehedinți County Police have launched an investigation and are scrutinizing a criminal case, as swans are afforded legal protection. A swan was mortally struck by a vehicle on DN 56B in the Ostrovul Corbului region of Hinova commune. „A criminal case has been opened for ‘illegal intentional killing of animals,’ in accordance with Law No. 205/2004 concerning animal protection. The police are also endeavoring to identify the driver involved,” the Mehedinți Police reported on Wednesday. After the investigation concludes, the case will be forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office at the Drobeta Turnu Severin Court with the appropriate recommendations. In partnership with experts from the Mehedinți DSVSA, a necropsy was performed on the swan’s remains, which were subsequently retrieved by representatives of the Hinova U.A.T. for neutralization in compliance with sanitary-veterinary regulations.