Cruelty to animals

“Rambo’s” master got away with diversion

"Rambo" was too ill and had to be put down.(Bild: Pfotenhilfe Lochen)

He was sick, poorly kept and had apparently been repeatedly kept on a lead or locked up for a long time - mixed-breed dog "Rambo" from Aurolzmünster had to be put down. Following a complaint of cruelty to animals against the owners of the neglected male dog, the regional court in Ried acquitted him and granted him diversion.

Leashed outside in the garden, locked in the boiler room at night, so ill that he had to be euthanized. The suffering of mongrel dog "Rambo" from Aurolzmünster was the focus of an animal cruelty trial in Ried (Upper Austria). The owners (61, 50) were charged following a complaint by Pfotenhilfe Lochen. The owner pleaded guilty, the 50-year-old innocent: "I had nothing to do with the dog. I didn't even feed him."

Poor "Rambo" was at the end of his tether when he was found.(Bild: Pfotenhilfe Lochen)

"Intimate and loving relationship"
According to the expert opinion, "Rambo" had been seriously ill for some time and would have needed veterinary help. The 61-year-old's lawyer affirmed that he had an intimate and loving relationship with "Rambo" and that he had been a family dog.

Lack of evidence
The judge acquitted the 50-year-old due to a lack of evidence, while the 61-year-old got off with a diversion and a fine of 700 euros due to his acceptance of responsibility.