Police seize fox and four cats in suspected animal cruelty case

Police seized a red fox and four cats from an 86-year-old man in Proleb in the Leoben district, ORF reported. The man was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.

The fox was reportedly being kept illegally. A police environmental officer, an official veterinarian, a representative of the Leoben district authority and an animal keeper took part in the operation on Friday morning.

Police said the house was in a neglected and dirty condition. Several live animal traps were also found. The four cats were seized because of the conditions. No people or animals were harmed during the operation.

The man is already known to the authorities. A picture with a clear reference to National Socialism was found in the house, leading to an additional report over suspected Nazi activities. He is also subject to an active ban on keeping wild animals and a weapons ban.