Outrage over TV star who shoots sheep and goats for kicks
‘Hardcore huntress’ boasts as she poses in UK with carcasses
DRESSED in a camouflage suit, rifle-toting Larysa Switlyk poses proudly beside the bodies of sheep and goats she has killed on a remote British island.
The self-styled ‘hardcore huntress’ has been keeping social media followers up to date with her trail of slaughter during a two-week trophy hunt on Islay.
But the blonde American TV host’s thirst for blood – she labelled one picture of a goat ‘such a fun hunt’ – has prompted an outpouring of condemnation online.
Her boasts of having ‘the time of her life’, making a ‘perfect 200-yard shot’ for one kill and hunting ‘in sniper mode’ led to outcry from celebrities including Judy Murray, Ricky Gervais and Gabby Logan.
Mrs Murray, mother of tennis star Sir Andy, tweeted: ‘A unique hunt? Disgraceful. It’s a goat. And it’s in Scotland, on a beautiful island. Stop this please @scotgov.’
TV presenter Miss Logan wrote: ‘Those beautiful goats are even more beautiful alive. Please get a new hobby Larysa. This one is repulsive.’
Actor Robert Lindsay added: ‘With t**** like you in this world no wonder a defenceless harmless goat wants to hide.’
Comedian Gervais carried a picture of the hunter with the ironic comment: ‘Fun.’
The distasteful images led Scottish government minister Mike Russell to call for goat hunting on Islay to be banned. Mr Russell, the MSP for the area, said: ‘To see people in camouflage with highly powered sniper rifles rejoicing at the killing of a goat, let alone a ram, is simply unacceptable.
‘As a local MSP I have now raised it with the environment minister because I think it’s really undesirable and unpleasant.’
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: ‘I hope the Scottish government will take urgent action and end goat stalking and other bloodsports.’
The Scottish government said culling of some wild animals, including goats, is not illegal. However First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the law will be reviewed. She tweeted: ‘Totally understandable why the images from Islay of dead animals being held up as trophies is so upsetting and offensive.’ Miss Switlyk, who presents a television show called Larysa Unleashed, has also posted pictures of red deer she has shot.
Alongside one picture of a dead stag she wrote: ‘ Nothing better than enjoying what you hunt. Can’t wait to bring it back to the castle for the chefs to cook it up!’
Miss Switlyk, a former account- ant, and her hunting partner, a man named Jason, have been filming their Scottish safari.
She is sponsored by several weapons firms, while her website and Facebook page show her beside the bodies of animals including Arctic hare and crocodiles.
Several tourism firms offer the chance to stalk and shoot wild goats on Islay. Hunting them on private land is not illegal. Feral goats are classed as an invasive species and routinely culled.
It is also legal to kill deer with a rifle but is much more rare for sheep to be shot. The Scottish Gamekeepers Association said its members are not involved in goat hunting but warned against a ‘knee-jerk reaction’.
A Scottish government spokesman said: ‘We fully understand why so many people find these images of hunted animals being
‘Upsetting and offensive’
held up as trophies so upsetting. Responsible and appropriate culling of animals is a necessary part of sustainable land management. However, the environment secretary will consider whether changes to the law might be required.’
Last night, Miss Switlyk said she had received death threats over the photographs. She said the images, posted a few days ago, were from a hunting trip last month.
She wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m headed out on a bush plane for my next hunting adventure and will be out of service for two weeks. Nothing better than disconnecting from this social media driven world.
‘Hopefully that will give enough time for all the ignorant people out there sending me death threats to get educated on hunting and conservation.’