The owner of a movie chicken killed by a dog can hope for a higher compensation in the appeal process. It should Ute Milosevic not be credited as a contributory negligence, that they had their chicken roaming freely on their own farm in Weeze on the Lower Rhine, said the chairman of the district court Kleve.
The brown chicken named Sieglinde had been bitten in the summer of 2017 in the yard by the free-range dog of a walker. Milosevic asks the owner 4000 euros compensation. Her chicken had been trained for film and television and, for example, stood in front of the camera for the film "We Are Sisters" broadcast at the end of 2018.
Aurelia's Movie Animals / DPA
The chicken Sieglinde 2017 filming a movie
The District Court had estimated the value of the animal including training costs for the TV appearances at 615 euros - the owner but only half (307.50 euros) awarded damages, because the animal was running around freely in the yard. The district court probably did not follow this assessment. However, the judge made clear that lost profits play no role.
However, the applicant's lawyer continued to insist on 4000 euros. Sieglinde was especially gifted. In just ten hours of training, she learned everything necessary for TV use. A new chicken could possibly take much longer and therefore cause higher training costs - if there is ever such a talent again.
"Yes, there is no pet shop for movie stars," said the judge. Whether an expensive education of another chicken leads to success, is open. "There are stupid chickens and there are talents," he said. "They buy a new chicken, they're lucky, and after ten hours the chicken can ride a bicycle." But that was not the case of the compensation process, said the presiding judge. The value of the dead animal would have to be estimated.
The verdict is due to be dropped on 20 December.
