Police investigate Vorarlberg veterinarian over alleged animal cruelty

Police are investigating a veterinarian in Vorarlberg over allegations that he mistreated cows, ORF reports. The veterinarian denies the accusations and says the incident was a misunderstanding.

The allegations have prompted calls from state politicians and animal welfare advocates for a full investigation. The Greens said on Wednesday they were appalled by the alleged cruelty. Daniel Zadra, the party’s parliamentary leader, said, “Such livestock farming has no place in our state.” He called on state councillor Martina Rüscher of the Austrian People’s Party to clarify the incidents completely.

NEOS animal welfare spokeswoman Fabienne Lackner called for an independent review and the immediate protection of the animals. She said the case should not be dismissed on the grounds that the video footage was unusable, as reports of problems had been coming in regularly for months.

A video shows a veterinarian entering a barn with a flashlight and striking a cow. The incidents were reported to the authorities several times, most recently at the end of July. Police then inspected the barn in early August.

According to the Neue Vorarlberger Tageszeitung, the veterinarian denies any form of animal cruelty. He says he entered the barn at night to drive away vermin and that the loud noise occurred while he was freeing a cow from a feed trough. He has repeatedly said that hitting cows would be pointless and that his animals loved him.

The Vorarlberg State Police Directorate confirmed that it was investigating the video and several reports. State veterinarian Norbert Greber told the Neue that there were no specific allegations of animal cruelty, but said he would conduct an on-site inspection to determine whether any violations had occurred. Greber also noted that the video was of poor quality. The case has not yet been resolved.

The Association Against Animal Factories, known as VGT, called the incidents shocking. If the allegations are confirmed, it said, they would represent not an isolated lapse but ongoing violence against defenseless animals. The group also called for a thorough investigation.