Burgenland man fined over pigeon killed on balcony

A 69-year-old man was convicted of animal cruelty after a pigeon was killed on his apartment balcony, ORF reported. The Eisenstadt regional court imposed a partly suspended fine of 3,900 euros. The ruling is not final.

The man was accused of killing the pigeon on his seventh-floor balcony in late July and throwing it onto the lawn. He pleaded not guilty. The court could not establish what object was used. Blood was found on a wall and on a plastic shovel.

The man said the pigeon had hopped onto the shovel and then flown off the balcony. He could not explain why the bird landed heavily injured but still briefly alive beside the building caretaker, who was watering plants. The caretaker testified that she heard the neighbour shout, “Now the beast is finally dead.” The defendant denied making the remark.

An examination of the dead pigeon by AGES found multiple fractures, haemorrhages and multiple liver tears caused by blunt-force trauma. The judge found the caretaker’s account credible. Half of the fine was conditionally suspended.