Conditional prison sentence demanded for Thurgau cantonal veterinarian
Published: Thursday, Jan 25th 2024, 13:10
Updated At: Thursday, Jan 25th 2024, 13:11
العودة إلى البث المباشر
On the second day of the trial against the former Thurgau cantonal veterinarian in the Hefenhofen animal welfare case, the public prosecutor's office made its plea on Wednesday. They demanded a conditional prison sentence of 18 months.
In addition to the conditional prison sentence, the Thurgau public prosecutor's office pleaded for a conditional fine of 180 daily rates of CHF 190 each and a fine of CHF 6,800.
The former cantonal veterinarian should be found guilty of multiple counts of abuse of office, favoritism by omission, cruelty to animals by omission, damage to creditors and fraudulent mismanagement.
The former head of the Thurgau Veterinary Office, together with three former employees, must answer for negligence in connection with the Hefenhofen animal welfare case. In 2017, images of emaciated and dead horses shocked the public. The authorities later cleared the farm and auctioned off 93 horses.
"Nothing done again and again"
The prosecutor mainly accused the accused of having known about various abuses on the farm for years. During inspections by the authorities, it was repeatedly found that the recalcitrant horse breeder was not complying with a ban on keeping livestock that was already legally binding at the time.
According to the prosecutor, several emaciated animals, missing water, rotten bread and dirty stables were found. "Despite this knowledge, nothing was done", said the prosecutor. The cantonal veterinarian at the time would have been obliged to take measures and should at least have reported violations.
"He repeatedly did nothing," the prosecutor continued. He justified his behavior with problems with a foreclosure and the aggressiveness of the horse breeder. He also failed to respond to reports from animal rights activists.
Dilemma on different levels
However, the prosecutor also mentioned that the department in charge of the veterinary office had not given a clear direction in this case. "Dilemmas at different levels mitigate culpability."
There are also allegations of inconsistencies in the sale of confiscated horses. Three were allegedly given away unlawfully and one pony was sold to someone for significantly less than its value, even though a much better offer had been made.
The lawyer for the horse breeder from Hefenhofen, who is appearing as the plaintiff, is expected to make his plea in the afternoon.
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