Overview
- Prosecutors in Augsburg have charged the 37-year-old goat keeper and her 34-year-old husband over alleged prolonged suffering of animals under §17 of the animal-welfare law, which carries up to three years in prison or a fine.
- Amtsgericht Landsberg is reviewing whether to admit the case to a main hearing, with a decision expected in early October.
- Authorities found 80 dead goats in May near Dießen, rescued 41 weak animals, and still cannot account for roughly 150 more; pathology by the LGL reported severe emaciation, anemia, and heavy worm burden, and a livestock-keeping ban remains in force.
- In a separate NRW probe, police and the Dortmund prosecutor searched a farm in Grefrath on September 19 on suspicion of slaughtering sheep and cattle without effective stunning and selling meat outside official controls.
- The NRW investigation includes suspected commercial document forgery and possible tax offenses, an investigative commission has been set up, and after an initial September 10 search the allegations have broadened with additional persons under scrutiny.