Nearly 500 sheep suffered indescribable pain: their throats were cut without anesthesia. Now the director and four other employees of the slaughterhouse have been sentenced to suspended prison terms. Just like an official veterinarian who has neglected his duty to check. Animal rights activists are shocked by the ‘mild verdicts’. Also: The company is allowed to continue slaughtering…
Even before you enter the courtroom of the regional court in Korneuburg (Lower Austria), it is clear what is being negotiated there: animal cruelty. The Association against Animal Factories (VGT) draws attention to the suffering of a total of 479 sheep with banners and photos. In the course of the Islamic Qurban festival in 2021, they were slaughtered without anesthesia, i.e. ritual slaughter.
Video captures the suffering of the sheep
The procedure approved in principle was not followed correctly: after the so-called slaughter cutting, the animals should have been stunned immediately. They should have bled out for at least five minutes. A slaughterhouse in Lower Austria did not comply with all these requirements, which were laid down in a decree. It was captured on video. That is why the director, his son and four other men are now on trial.
One of them is the 63-year-old official veterinarian, who should have checked whether the slaughter had been carried out correctly. He completely ignored that and wouldn’t even have been there most of the time. In addition to animal cruelty, he is also accused of abuse of office. My client is very sorry. He is a veterinarian and actually wants to save animals from suffering,” said his lawyer Anna Mair.
Slaughterhouses may sacrifice animals again in 2023
The rest of the defendants say nothing nice either: the rush was great, they had to slaughter 1,200 sheep in three days – an explanation, but no apology. The chairman rebuked: “Animals cannot be treated this way in the 21st century. That’s a big mess!” The men were suspended between six and eight months, the vet ten months – after all, he was also guilty of abuse of official authority. The judgments are not final.
The company where no more incidents took place after that must also pay a fine of 1,000 euros. In 2021, the slaughterhouse was closed for about three months after the torture became known. Before the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice in 2023, however, he would already have a decision and be allowed to carry out another slaughter…
The VGT in particular is shocked by the statements: “You are a slap in the face to animal welfare. Hundreds of animals were tortured here completely illegally. Had it not been for animal control cameras, this incredible suffering would have continued.”
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.
