Bad suspicions

Farmer showed pictures of animal cruelty online

For some farmers, a cow is just one thing: a soulless milk production machine.

(Bild: Vier Pfoten)

The case of suspected animal cruelty in the Bregenz area is also making international headlines. The investigation has not yet been completed, but a cruel suspicion remains in the air.

It is an outrageous case of animal cruelty. A farmer and a second farmer allegedly tore out the tongue of a cow in August last year. Pictures of the torn tongue were circulated and the farmer apparently showed the material around with a certain pride in a social gathering. One of the onlookers did the only right thing and reported the man to the animal welfare ombudswoman.

Bad suspicions
While the possibility of an accident was initially raised, a serious suspicion is now spreading: according to an anonymous letter sent to several animal welfare organizations as well as some media, the incident is not an isolated case.

On the contrary: several young farmers in the Bregenz area are said to be making fun of this kind of torture and capturing the scenes in photos or videos. We can only hope that this suspicion will not be confirmed. The matter is bad enough as it is, even the "Frankfurter Rundschau" newspaper has reported on the brutal torture of animals and is not alone in Germany in doing so.

Milk yield: what counts
In any case, it is astonishing that the case only became public now, almost six months after the actual crime. In the course of the investigation, it also came to light that the farmer in question was illegally trading in medicines for animals, in particular hormones designed to increase the milk yield of cows. There have already been initial consequences in this matter.

Veterinary Chamber reacts
The Vorarlberg Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons announced on Friday that it would be reconsidering the framework agreement on veterinary care in the state - concluded with the Chamber of Agriculture. However, the vets first want to wait for the final results of the investigation.