During an inspection in January 2024, the county administrative board was met by heavily neglected animals on a farm in Jämtland. They found six small calves covered in snow outdoors – all were dead and frozen. The barn was also discovered calves that had struggled in fertilizer before they were let self -decline, according to the County Administrative Board’s assessment.
In the stable it was minus degrees and the animal’s water was frozen. There, the County Administrative Board found twelve -magged calves alive. They were described as apathetic which is a clear sign of dehydration. The animals were taken care of but were already killed after the first control of the veterinarian.
In total, the farmer, who is a man at the age of 35, had let 16 calves self-do during the winter. He also stated that another 20 adult cows had died during the winter after eating building plastic.
He had not reported any of the deaths or called a veterinarian during the period.
Sentenced to prison
The man is now sentenced to the lowest sentence for animal cruelty, six months in prison, reports P4 Jämtland.
The County Administrative Board estimates that the death of the calves was caused by the cooling and lack of milk replacement and water.
There were major deficiencies in supervision and care of the animals and the man had not taken any steps to shorten the suffering of the animals. Furthermore, the County Administrative Board believes that the farmer has poor knowledge of the Animal Protection Act.
In a new case, a trial of animal ban begins for the man.