Ukrainian detained in Warsaw for catching a legendary catfish that had been swimming in this lake for 20 years
«He put it in the trunk and drove off».
Warsaw police detained a 57-year-old citizen of Ukraine who illegally caught a giant catfish over 182 centimeters long from Lake Balaton, located in the capital's Gocław district. The case gained wide publicity on social media and in the media.
The incident occurred on May 30. Two men were paddling on the lake in a pedal boat. One of them had a fishing rod, which he used to catch the fish. After that, the men dragged the catfish along the sidewalk and stuffed it into the car's trunk, after which they drove off in an unknown direction.
The caught fish was very well known to local residents — the catfish had been swimming here for 20 years. Local fishermen had caught this giant many times, but due to its legendary status, they always released it back into the water.
The men's actions caused outrage and protests from eyewitnesses. However, they allegedly ignored this, put the catfish in the car's trunk, and drove off in an unknown direction.
Police found the man who caught the catfish. He turned out to be a 57-year-old citizen of Ukraine.
«It can be assumed that the person caught this fish during the prohibited season, when the catfish was protected and its capture was forbidden, and it can also be suspected that we will be dealing with animal cruelty due to the fish being transported without access to water,» commented the Warsaw police.