Hungary: Austrian Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Animal Cruelty
She waived her right to a trial, so no trial took place today, but rather a preparatory session. The Austrian woman pleaded guilty. According to the court, the imposed sentence can be suspended on probation at the earliest after serving half of it. The verdict is already legally binding.
Also a Fine for the Austrian Woman
In addition, the woman received a fine of 7.5 million Forint (187,758.17 Euros) and a ban on animal breeding, keeping, and trading, as well as holding public office for two years was imposed. She must also pay the court costs amounting to 1.5 million Forint (3,755.16 Euros). The woman, who has been in Hungarian pre-trial detention for months, was accused of keeping hundreds of animals under completely inadequate conditions on her properties in the Hungarian counties of Vas and Győr-Moson-Sopron.
According to the verdict, it involved more than 300 affected animals - shepherd dogs for breeding purposes as well as horses, sheep, goats, and poultry as domestic and farm animals. The Austrian woman did not treat the animals properly, neglecting her duties of care and maintenance. The animals were kept in places heavily contaminated with feces and urine.
The dogs were also kept in cramped and dark kennels without adequate drinking water, leading to the death of the animals or permanent health damage. Furthermore, the defendant failed to care for the animals according to their breed, treat their illnesses, and remove dogs with congenital genetic defects from the breeding stock. The vast majority of the dogs were neither chipped nor vaccinated. The defendant's behavior was deemed capable of causing the animals particular suffering or permanent damage or killing them, according to the verdict.
Animal Rights Activists Demonstrated in Hungary
The woman from Graz explained in her defense that she could not care for the animals due to her own health condition. Her lawyer emphasized that his client regretted the act and reminded that two more proceedings were ongoing, which also involved a high million-Forint fine. The woman from Graz said what hurt her the most was that this happened to her.
In front of the courthouse, animal rights activists demonstrated with the demand "Prison for Animal Abusers," also bringing along rescued dogs. A high penalty was demanded to reflect the horror the animals were exposed to by the Austrian woman.
(APA/Red)
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