Serial offender suspected

Madman kills breeding swan and destroys the nest

An animal lover found the dead swan in the early hours of the morning. The nest had been vandalized.

(Bild: VGT)

An animal lover discovered a dead swan near the Neue Donau lock bridge. It had been killed while breeding. Press charges!

Terrible case of animal cruelty in the city on the Danube. A dead swan was found near the Neue Donau lock bridge a few days ago. Marina Gruber remembers: "I drive along here every day - I know the nests. Even from a distance I could see that something was wrong. So I climbed down the embankment to the nest." Here the animal rights activist was met with a scene of horror. Gruber: "The swan's skull had been smashed in. The eggs were crushed. That was no other animal!"

The eggs were crushed.

(Bild: VGT)

Post-mortem examination confirms killing
This was also confirmed by the AGES autopsy. In the meantime, charges have been filed. The Association Against Animal Factories has also become involved. "We are hoping for support from the public. The whole thing must have happened on the night of March 23rd," says a spokesperson.

Marina Gruber lovingly looks after the swans.

(Bild: privat)

Up to ten animals disappear every year
Gruber is expecting concrete evidence from possible videos: "The sluice is equipped with cameras. Maybe the police can analyze them." The animal rights activists also assume that there is a serial offender. Marina Gruber: "Around ten swans are killed or disappear without a trace in Vienna every year. Sometimes animals are abducted in cars. I've seen that myself. The animals then probably end up as roasts. It's hard to believe."

Video surveillance of nests
And the animal rights activists are now taking action themselves and even having some nests monitored by cameras. "People's hatred is becoming increasingly absurd, and these poor animals need our protection." Incidentally, the perpetrators face severe fines of up to 7500 euros.