Charges filed against farmer

No feed and injured: 94 cattle slaughtered

94 cattle had to be slaughtered in the Salzkammergut (symbolic image).(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger © Daniel Scharinger)

The feeding table was empty, the deep litter area was heavily soiled with manure, the water troughs did not work or were completely without water - cattle belonging to a farmer from the Salzkammergut region were apparently living in cruel conditions. Almost all of them now had to be slaughtered and the owner is being charged.

Authorities and the official veterinarian inspected a farm in the Salzkammergut region on May 28th. They discovered that the feeding table was empty, the deep litter area was heavily soiled with manure and the water troughs were either not working or completely empty. Unfortunately, it came as no surprise: according to the police, the animals were severely emaciated and injured due to the circumstances.

Farm cleared
Three days later, the farm was inspected again. As the deficiencies had not been rectified, the Vöcklabruck district authority ordered the farm to be evacuated immediately.

Ten emergency slaughterings
94 of the 105 cattle had to be slaughtered, ten of them immediately on the spot by emergency slaughter due to their poor condition. The remaining animals were distributed to nearby farms.

The farmer concerned - he has not yet commented on the allegations - will now be charged with animal cruelty.