It was after an anonymous report of suspected neglect that the county administrative board made an unannounced inspection at the man’s home. Several of the animals were so severely emaciated and dirty that the animal welfare officer decided to suspend the inspection to return three days later with a veterinarian.
Should have weighed 360 kg – weighed 150 kg
The vet concluded that the fur on the cows was so dirty that it had lost its ability to protect against both heat and cold and that the animals had received too little and too poor feed. For example, one heifer weighed 150 kg, even though the recommended weight for a heifer of her age is 360 kg. Juveniles in a cold feedlot were the size of 2-month-old calves, even though they were 11 months old.
Some of the animals had a slightly better health status, but the county administrative board considered that it would be unreasonable not to take care of all the animals as they were cared for in the same way and were therefore exposed to suffering. Seven of the cows were in such bad condition that they were euthanized immediately.
The man denies wrongdoing
The farmer says in questioning that he does not have the same opinion about the health of the cows.
– If I had received an action plan, it would probably have worked out, he says.
Now he is charged with animal cruelty and required to pay a corporate fine of SEK 100,000.