Animal cruelty process: Härting butcher's shop again in court in Kaiserslautern!

Animal cruelty process: Härting butcher's shop again in court in Kaiserslautern!

In Kaiserslautern, an important process of appeal begins, in which four men who worked in the Härting horse network are again on trial. According to SWR , including three employees, appeal against a initial judgment, which they made in July 2022 Had convicted cruelty to animals.

The procedure will take place at the district court in Kaiserslautern. The public prosecutor has also appealed, but only against the judgments of the three employees. These may receive higher penalties, while the managing director had to accept a fine due to non -fulfillment of his duty of supervision. The court invited two experts and witnesses to check the allegations again.

background of the conviction

The procedure checked whether the employed pigs, cattle and horses have improperly killed. The punishments for the employees included both prison terms and professional bans. The butcher shop hired its slaughterhouse in 2022 in coordination with the veterinary office, but it continues to operate three branches in Kaiserslautern. One of these branches is currently being converted for sale via machines.

This process not only has legal but also social relevance, since it takes place in the context of increasing public interest in animal welfare and animal rights. Animal rights activists held a vigil in front of the court in the summer to draw attention to the problem. A planned demonstration with around 20 participants was canceled at short notice. However, activist Philipp Hörmann welcomes the public prosecutor's request for higher punishments.

social context

The modern animal rights movement originated in the 19th century and is an important sociopolitical appearance. As explained on bpb.de , animal protection developed into a changing awareness of dealing with animals. The first legal protection for animals was introduced in Great Britain in 1822, followed by the establishment of several animal welfare associations.

The first animal protection association was built in Germany in 1837, inspired by British role models. The animal protection movement experienced a split between civil animal welfare and more radical approaches in the late 19th century. The animal rights movement has developed since the 1970s, whereby radical methods are becoming increasingly important.

The strict discussions about animal welfare and animal rights are also reflected in the current legal proceedings. In an environment in which the demand for more rights and a better life for animals becomes louder, the Härting horse network and its practices are also the focus of attention.

The appeal process is therefore not only a legal procedure, but also a test stone for social values ​​in dealing with animals in 2025.