Animal farm reported again despite animal keeping ban

Austria’s public broadcaster ORF reported that the Association Against Animal Factories has filed another complaint over alleged animal welfare violations at a livestock farm in the St. Pölten district. The group reported the farmer and his wife, while the farmer is already subject to an animal keeping ban.

The association said this was its fourth complaint against the company. The St. Pölten Regional Court had previously dealt with the case, and proceedings against the farmer ended in 2023 with a diversion. The group now alleges that he continues to work in the barn and mistreat animals despite the ban.

According to the association, anonymously provided photographs and videos show the farmer brutally pulling a goat by its horns over a pen wall, while another person repeatedly strikes animals. The farmer’s wife declined to comment to ORF.

The association also alleged that cattle were left standing in pools of liquid manure, while extremely thin sheep and goats were inadequately fed and at risk of starving. It said a significant number of animals may have died at the farm.

The St. Pölten district authority confirmed that it had received a complaint of animal cruelty. It said the farm was most recently inspected by veterinary officials on August 12. The authorities ordered the immediate correction of identified deficiencies, began administrative penalty proceedings and said compliance would be monitored. Further regular inspections are planned.

Lower Austria regional councillor Susanne Rosenkranz of the Freedom Party called for the farm to be closed immediately. She said this was difficult because about 1,000 animals would have to be accommodated at once and federal law currently lacked the basis for an immediate animal keeping ban.

Rosenkranz said bans should take effect quickly and effectively, noting that the farmer was already subject to a ban and that a ban had also been threatened against his wife. The family’s daughter is reportedly currently caring for the animals.

Rosenkranz also called for minimum and maximum penalties for animal cruelty to be significantly increased. The association’s petition calls for more frequent inspections, higher maximum penalties and greater public transparency about acute animal welfare violations.