Overview
- The District Court of Kleve declined a prosecutor’s request for a penalty order and returned the matter for further investigation, the court’s spokesman said.
- A prosecutor had sought penalty orders of 50 daily rates against each officer for violating the animal welfare law, according to Focus.
- The case stems from a June 28, 2024 night call in Bedburg-Hau, where two officers allegedly ran over a severely injured cat instead of using a firearm due to ricochet risk reported by media.
- A witness later found the carcass, filed a complaint, and the prosecutor commissioned a pathological report to assess whether and how long the animal suffered.
- The Kleve district police declined comment because proceedings continue, while SPD and CDU lawmakers renewed calls for clear guidance from the Interior Ministry on handling gravely injured animals.