A semi-professional runner, Silvia, from Tomelloso (Ciudad Real) runs several times a week on the outskirts of the town until she wound up in hospital with shotgun wounds.

“I had set off on my training run along a public lane and had covered about three kilometres when I heard shots and then a burning sensation on my ear and arm,” she explained. She stopped and looked around to see where the shots were coming from when two, two very apologetic, hunters approached her.

Their apologies didn’t stop her reporting the incident to the Guardia Civil: “The hunters recognised their negligence, shooting in the direction of a public right of way,” she said, adding, “It could have been worse; not only for me but for anybody else using the lane,” explaining that she had also used the route, accompanying her young child on other occasions, on bicycles.

As a result, she had been taken to the regional hospital to have the pellets removed and be treated. She had developed a fear of going out running after almost going into shock following the incident.

“I’ve not got anything against people who go out shooting but there should be more control and safety for those of us who use rights of way,” she said. It annoys her that some people had commented, “That’s what comes from going out by yourself running.”

The law on hunting in (Ley de Caza) in Castilla-La Mancha forbids shooting near public rights of way although it does permit these country lanes and track to be temporarily closed down during organised hunts; Obviously having obtained prior permission and with all the safety precautions in place.

(News: Tomelloso, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha)

Keywords: Hunting, Shotgun, Pellets, Runner, Injured, Hospital, Guardia Civil

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