Trial against animal cruelty – dogs locked in dark cages in sub-zero temperatures

“The dogs were locked in dark crates and containers in sub-zero temperatures. The condition of the 27 mostly pedigree cats was deplorable. They were hidden in a neighbor’s drafty attic in sub-zero temperatures with frozen water and only large chunks of dry dog ​​food and were on the verge of dying of thirst,” said Jürgen Stadler, spokesperson for Pfotenhilfe Lochen.

55 animals removed
He was on site in early 2023 during the raid on a breeder and animal dealer in Gilgenberg, who allegedly hid in a box in the attic during the inspection. At the time, 55 animals were taken by the authorities and many of the dogs and cats have now been placed with ‘new’ families.

Cats were sitting in their own feces
“The cats at the breeder had no toilet or place to sleep and were sitting in their own feces among the rubbish. Their desperate cries were deafening and heartbreaking,” says Stadler, describing the dramatic circumstances before the animals were taken away.

Even more four-legged friends hidden
Many other quadrupeds would have been hidden in only partially known locations shortly before the raid. Their whereabouts are still largely unclear today. In some cases, despite the ban on keeping animals, they are back on site, which Pfotenhilfe reported with photographic evidence in the summer of 2024.

Trial against animal cruelty
Next Monday you must appear at the regional court in Ried/I. three defendants are responsible for animal cruelty, the penalty is a maximum of two years in prison. At the same time, the Salzburg public prosecutor’s office continues to investigate serious commercial fraud. Numerous victims have come forward who allegedly purchased purebred dogs at inflated prices, which were often seriously ill and found to be mixed breeds on genetic testing.