It all happened in October 2019 and it was when the two foreign hunters stopped to refuel that they drew attention because the driver was drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel to drive on.
The police received a tip and were able to stop them both shortly afterwards.
Loaded rifle and shot clean
It was then clear that the driver was drunk. More surprisingly, in the back seat was a gun case that turned out to contain a loaded pellet gun. When the tailgate was opened there was a dead reindeer.
The two men were arrested and pictures of the shot reindeer and of the two men smiling and toasting were found in their mobile phones.
The explanation: Thought it was a moose
The two foreign hunting guests explained in court that they had been moose hunting with a man in the county. On the day in question, they were on their way back to their home country by car. To the court, the men stated that they had seen what they thought was a moose.
They stopped the car and got out and shot the animal. When they then approached, it turned out to be a reindeer. The men then called for the man with whom they had been hunting guests. He came there and helped them take care of the reindeer.
Bought salt and tarpaulin
The hunting guests said they knew they had done something illegal and had intended to contact the police and the affected Sami village. The Östersund district court does not believe that. No contact was ever made with either the police or Sami village.
The fact that after the reindeer was shot they bought salt, cable ties and tarpaulin also speaks against the two men.
The combined investigation means that the district court considers it proven that the men shot the reindeer with the intention of taking it with them. Therefore, they are convicted of theft, and receive a suspended sentence. One of them is also convicted of aggravated drunken driving.
The third person, from the county, is given a suspended sentence for herding because he helped take care of the reindeer.