Farmer receives suspended sentence for animal cruelty

A farmer from the district of St Veit was convicted of animal cruelty on Wednesday and sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for three years, ORF reported. The verdict is not final.

The prosecution accused the farmer of failing to provide his animals with enough food and water. Two cattle died on his farm. Authorities had received repeated complaints about alleged shortcomings in the animals’ care over several years.

At a hearing in September, district veterinary officer told the court he had not found signs during inspections that the animals might die, but had observed emaciation. He said that was not conclusive evidence. A former colleague of the officer said she had found serious deficiencies on the farm.