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Protest in front of the district court of Calw

Photo: Julian Rettig / dpa

After the death of twelve sled dogs in Dobel (district of Calw), the district court of Calw sentenced the owner on Tuesday to a fine of 4500 euros. The court considered it proven that the woman had accepted the suffering of the dogs and violated the Animal Welfare Act.

The crime occurred on a July night in 2021. The owner and veterinarian had locked 26 huskies in 18 boxes in a van. Twelve animals did not survive that night, two of the surviving dogs had to be taken to a veterinary clinic. The cause of death was probably a mixture of overheating and suffocation, although this could not be sufficiently proven, the judge said.

He sentenced the owner to 90 daily rates of 50 euros each. This means that she is not considered to have a criminal record – the limit is exactly 90 daily rates. Previously, the public prosecutor's office had requested 120 daily rates of 50 euros each. The defense had demanded a penalty of a maximum of 90 daily rates at a maximum of 40 euros.

Protest by PETA

The case had made headlines nationwide. At first it was suspected that the animals had been poisoned. Before the start of the trial, activists from the animal welfare organization PETA protested in front of the district court on Tuesday.

The case was heard before the district court because the accused had lodged an objection to a penalty order last year. At the start of the trial on Tuesday, she and her defense lawyer limited the objection to the so-called legal consequences – that is, they only objected to the penalty of 150 daily rates demanded in the penalty order. This shortened the negotiation. The verdict is final.

lmd/dpa