Dog drama in Munich on New Year's Eve: fireworks from 60 fans drive “Duke” to death

Created: 01/05/2022, 09:41 AM

From: Claudia Schuri

Rhodesian Ridgeback "Duke" was only 9 months old.

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An unauthorized ignition of fireworks causes a hell of a noise near the Maximilianeum.

For a dog, the fright is fatal.

Munich - It was the last walk before going to sleep.

And it ended in a canine drama.

"Duke", a nine-month-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, lost his life to loud illegal fireworks.

“Duke” was a lovely dog, emphasizes his owner Wilhelm Mateja: “Wherever he showed up, he touched people's hearts.

He was playful, friendly and well-behaved. ”The man from Munich runs a guesthouse for Rhodesian Ridgebacks and was out and about with four dogs near the Maximilianeum on the evening of December 30th.

Dog drama in Munich ends fatally - 1860 fans unauthorized ignite pyro technology

"Duke" and another dog were leashed when there was a loud bang.

“It was a huge blow,” reports Mateja.

“At first I feared that an airplane had flown into the state parliament.” In reality, supporters of the TSV 1860 Munich organized a cracking fireworks display with bangers and rockets at the Maximilianeum.

“Happy New Year to all lion fans!” Read a banner.

A video of the spectacle can be seen on the website of an international hooligan group on the Instagram social network.

It was not allowed: In Munich there was a ban on firecrackers within the middle ring and no rockets should have been detonated on December 30th anyway.

The two dogs were frightened by the noise and ran away.

“They were in a panic,” says Wilhelm Mateja.

“It was so loud that they could no longer hear my voice.” Curious: a boarding dog fled into the tram and was later found again in the trade fair city east.

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Munich: Fireworks frighten young dog - "Duke" runs onto the autobahn and dies

"Duke" wandered around town for hours - and its owners were desperately looking for him.

"We were already close enough to touch," says Mateja.

On New Year's Eve, “Duke” was briefly on the A96 near Germering.

He later left the autobahn again - but only temporarily.

After about 20 hours of escape, he ran onto the A96 again - straight into a car.

“Our grief and pain are unbelievable,” says Wilhelm Mateja.

And: He's angry with the fireworks organizers.

"The alleged Gaudi causes so much animal cruelty and suffering," he criticizes.

The police are also investigating: "A criminal complaint was made for trespassing," confirmed a spokesman.