Memmingen – The trial against two Allgäu farmers from Bad Grönenbach and Dietmannsried began last Tuesday at the Memmingen District Court.
The two accused Johann H. (68 years old) and Florian H. (27), father and son, are accused of animal cruelty, among other things.
They are said to have not cared for cattle sufficiently, so that they became neglected and sick and were not treated by a veterinarian.
At the beginning of the trial, senior public prosecutor Markus Schroth accused the accused of being completely unsuitable in terms of their character to keep animals at all in accordance with the animal protection laws.
Schroth then went to the trouble of presenting the offenses committed by the farmers animal by animal in all 56 documented cases, including at least 15 calves.
Indictment: Horror descriptions
During the almost two-hour indictment reading, the public prosecutor listed the suffering of the animals on the accused's three farms.
He was referring to the controls by the veterinary authorities since August 2019. For each of the animals, the ear tag number and the specific injuries and illnesses were given.
In each case, Markus Schroth concluded that the animal had suffered unnecessarily for a long time.
In addition, the accused did not separate the sick animals, did not call a veterinarian and many of the animals mentioned were slaughtered.
According to observers, the reading of the indictment resembled a dystopian radio play, which visibly caused discomfort among the visitors in the well-filled guest area.
The public prosecutor's office stated earlier that every single suspected violation had to be investigated and an expert opinion had to be obtained from the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL).
That is also the reason for the long-term investigations of more than three years.
Other violations committed
In addition to the offenses against the Animal Welfare Act, the accused were also charged with other violations.
They are said to have simply ignored a ban on keeping animals for the two accused and continued to keep animals.
The non-payment of a purchase price for 15 cattle was also charged.
The accused are also said to have failed to pay six-digit social security contributions for employees as required.
The illegal operation of a building rubble dump on the company premises was also charged.
Landfill fees of at least 270,000 euros were evaded.
Since the two accused have so far either remained silent or denied the allegations, according to the court, extensive evidence is necessary.
The 1st Criminal Court has therefore planned 14 more days of trial, and a verdict could be announced at the end of October.
If the violations of the Animal Welfare Act are proven, the accused could each receive a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine.
However, a penalty could potentially be higher if the other charges of social security fraud, illegal landfill operation and fee evasion, and fraud can also be proven.