An incredibly cruel animal cruelty became known on Friday: a 51-year-old former police officer allegedly posed as a dog trainer and trained four-legged friends in the Graz area using brutal methods to resocialize them. The case covers several departments, since the man, as a VUT-er, should not have worked as a dog trainer in the first place. After a house search, animal abuse and fraud are reported. The prosecutor is investigating.
The police in Styria have been investigating since the autumn of last year. An anonymous complaint from Germany started the bad business, followed by complaints from the Austrian Professional Dog Association and the Veterinary Department. Including videos of questionable training of the man in question from the Graz area, who was under suspected of mass animal cruelty. Since 2020, he is said to have used extremely cruel methods to train dogs.
videos as evidence
The videos show the 51-year-old clearly torturing and kneeling on the animals. He is said to have pinned the quadrupeds to the ground for a long time, and kicks in the soft tissues and choke collars were also common practices. He even allegedly stretched a dog over the hood of a vehicle to punish him. The methods cited as examples then led to a search of the home of the 51-year-old on behalf of the public prosecutor’s office in Graz. The police seized electronic evidence, among other things.
No official training
Subsequent investigations showed that the 51-year-old VUT apparently offered the resocialization of so-called “problem dogs” on the Internet and on his YouTube channel in a very short time. Police spokesman Markus Lamb confirms the allegations: “The suspect lacks any awareness of wrongdoing, he presents himself as a rescuer for problem dogs.” The 51-year-old also has no official training and was not a police dog handler. The 51-year-old himself confessed to the methods used during the interrogation. However, he himself is not aware of any guilt. His methods are the only right way.
Mimic in Gralla
The lectures he gave in Germany may also have ‘inspired’ a follower in Gralla in southern Styria. She is suspected of kicking a dog during joint training in Gralla (district of Leibnitz). The partner of the man (42) is also reported to the public prosecutor in Graz on suspicion of complicity in animal abuse.
witness call
The police inspectorate in Wärmendorf is now looking for information about possible witnesses or injured parties in connection with the mentioned training methods. Hplease contact: tel.no. 059133/6141 or through Mail one PI-ST-Hitzendorf@polizei.gv.at.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
