The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Hunter courts new controversy
An American hunter who caused outrage after posting photos of goats and sheep she killed on a Hebridean island has taunted critics by launching a range of T-shirts celebrating the controversy.
TV presenter Larysa Switlyk, 33, faced global criticism after she and a companion were pictured smiling with animals they shot on Islay.
But she has now unveiled a collection of T-shirts and hoodies bearing the slogans “Don’t let me get your goat,” “Eat More Goat” and “Barbaric Hunter.”
She said a percentage of profits from the clothing range will go towards wild goat conservation.
She posted a photo of herself wearing one of the shirts and wrote on Instagram: “Due to the recent outrage over my hunting adventures I’ve decided to launch T-shirts to take a stance for what I believe in.”
The decision to launch the T-shirts was criticised on social media. Patrick Galbraith, editor of the Shooting Times magazine, said: “Beyond distasteful that @LSwitlyk is shamelessly attempting to capitalise on a pathetic stunt that may ultimately harm fieldsports in Scotland.”
Ms Switlyk this week called for an end to the death threats against her.
An online petition has been launched calling for the government to ban trophy hunting in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is reviewing the law on animal culling after the response to the images.