They call it a “slaughter festival”: Five Turks, an Afghan and the official veterinarian are on trial in Wr. Neustadt for cruelty to animals because they allegedly caused severe suffering to the animals during the ritual slaughter of 213 sheep.
Five Turks and an Afghan aged between 29 and 52 are in the dock at the Regional Court in Vienna Neustadt – all from Vienna. And the veterinarian in charge. Together they are said to be responsible for what outraged animal rights activists documented on the occasion of a slaughter according to Muslim rites at a farm in Haschendorf (Lower Austria). Horrific evidence of a bloody ceremonial.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, 213 sheep were slaughtered without the prescribed anaesthesia. The animals’ throats were cut and they were slowly bled to death. “They were thereby crudely mistreated and unnecessary torture was inflicted on them,” the indictment says. The veterinarian, in his capacity as an officially appointed veterinarian, is accused of knowingly abusing his official authority by not being present during the entire “slaughter festival” and not complying with legal regulations. For example, he failed to check identity and to comply with the animal welfare slaughtering regulations.
In contrast to the other defendants, the veterinarian pleaded “not guilty”, but wanted to take responsibility: “There were eight hours of slaughtering and 213 sheep, there were incidents that did not comply with the legal norm”, he admitted. Nevertheless, he said, he had forbidden the men to drag the sheep into the slaughterhouse by their ears.
When asked by the court why he did not stop the slaughter after many procedures had not been carried out according to the rules, the accused veterinarian preferred to remain silent.
The verdict is due in May, the presumption of innocence applies.
https://exxpress.at/213-schafe-illegal-geschaechtet-sechs-wiener-muslime-vor-gericht/