Accused livestock owners from Steinfurt County face legal proceedings for alleged animal neglect cases
A pig farmer from the Steinfurt district is set to stand trial at Rheine Local Court starting from December 2025. The case stems from allegations made by the animal rights organisation Aninova, who first brought the matter to public attention in March 2025.
Aninova received video footage from three pig stalls in Münsterland, one of which will form the basis of the trial. The footage showed injured and sick pigs, with the complaint describing animals in a sick bay as being in a poor condition.
The farmer is accused of violating the animal protection act by not providing proper care for sick pigs. In response to the allegations, the veterinary office of the Steinfurt district was informed by Aninova, and they subsequently inspected the pig farm and also filed a complaint for violating the animal protection act.
The trial will focus on two specific animals, a sow and a piglet, who suffered severe pain. As of now, the defense attorney for the accused farmer has not been publicly disclosed. The lawyer for the accused farmer was not available for a statement on Tuesday.
It is important to note that the veterinary office has not been mentioned as having reacted to the case in the provided context. This trial highlights the ongoing importance of animal welfare and the need for farms to adhere to the necessary standards of care.
The public will await the outcome of the trial at Rheine Local Court in December 2025, with hopes that justice will be served for the animals involved.
