The dead calf, which was found in a ditch in Obernach (municipality of Jachenau), apparently came from animal husbandry.
That raises questions.
Jachenau/Walchensee
- The reports on animal carcasses in the southern Walchensee area caused a lot of discussion on Thursday.
On Tuesday evening, a dead calf was discovered in a ditch in Obernach (district of Jachenau).
In addition, other finds of mostly badly decomposed animals, which can be assigned to agricultural use, became public.
They go back to 2019.
The sites are located in an area that belongs partly to the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen and partly to the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
It is not clear when and why the animals died, were left lying around or possibly even deliberately discarded.
Tracking options, such as ear tags, are no longer available.
Dead cattle go to the animal carcass disposal facility
Farmers must report dead cattle to the animal body disposal facility (TBA).
This then comes with a special truck “as quickly as possible”, reports district farmer Ursula Fiechtner.
The carcass must be covered by then.
The disposal is not expensive, Fiechtner recently paid 9 euros for two calves.
If colleagues were to dispose of animals in the forest, it would be bad for the entire industry, says the district farmer and emphasizes: "You have a responsibility for your animals."
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Good cooperation in yard controls
Of course it can happen that an animal escapes and is then hit by a vehicle on the road, says Fiechtner.
The police ruled that out in the most recent case.
Cattle could also suffer a heart attack in the pasture, Fiechtner continued.
But even in this case, someone who takes responsible care of their animals would find out about it promptly and then get rid of the carcass.
"One must not overlook the fact that germs form when the carcass is left lying."
If you ask the district offices of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen about farm controls and the exchange of information, both speak of good cooperation.
According to an order from the ministry, so-called high-risk companies must be checked unannounced.
In the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district, there are 40 to 50 companies per year, says spokeswoman Marlis Peischer.
The deficiencies would then have to be eliminated within a certain period of time, and that would also be checked.
Only "after a very long process" would the animals be taken away from the farmer.
In addition to these controls, there are also event-related reviews.
It takes time for a farmer to admit that he is overwhelmed
The same is confirmed by Stephan Scharf, spokesman for the neighboring district.
The companies in the Garmisch area are smaller than those in the Tölz area.
"There are also meetings of the veterinary office employees from the various districts," says Scharf.
District farmer Fiechtner also mentions the possibility of a farmer being overwhelmed mentally.
"But it takes a while before you admit to yourself that you can't do the work on the farm anymore," she says.
Often this only happens after a drastic cut.
For farmers who need help, there are offers through the trade association.
A citizen found the animal carcass lying in the Walchensee region near a bus stop with a rope around its neck on Tuesday.
You can find more current news from the region around Bad Tölz at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.
