Suche
Mein Konto
Animal cruelty in Hohenlohe: Cows live a life on a chain!
ANINOVA uncovers serious grievances in cow husbandry in Hohenlohekreis. The public prosecutor's office is investigating animal cruelty.
Animal cruelty in Hohenlohe: Cows live a life on a chain!
The discovery of serious abuses in animal husbandry is currently attracting a lot of attention in the Hohenlohekreis region. The animal rights organization ANINOVA has published images from a cattle farm in Bretzfeld that document the abuses that were recorded in March 2025. The images show around 50 cows being kept on chains under extreme conditions.
According to the farmer, the animals live in stables all year round, where they have little freedom of movement. Jan Peifer, CEO of ANINOVA, points out that the cows cannot turn around in this position. ANINOVA sharply criticizes this image of animal husbandry, particularly with regard to the hygiene and husbandry conditions in the stable.
Investigations and legal action
After the pictures were taken, ANINOVA immediately informed the responsible veterinary office in Künzelsau. After an inspection, deficiencies in the husbandry of the animals were identified, ranging from minor to moderate deficiencies in young cattle to long claws in a dairy cow. This led to a criminal complaint being filed with the Heilbronn public prosecutor's office on March 20, 2025, which then began investigations into animal cruelty (AZ 251 Js 10929/25).
The veterinary office and ANINOVA see tethering as a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act. ANINOVA also emphasizes that regional products do not protect against animal suffering and recommends consumers to think about their purchasing decisions.
Sales and consumption
The milk that comes from this farm is collected by the Hohenlohe dairy and sold under the brand name “Hofgut” through trading partners such as EDEKA24, Amazon and Rewe. Consumers who value animal welfare are called upon to critically question where their food comes from and under what conditions it is produced.
The situation in Bretzfeld has aroused not only local but also national interest. The ongoing investigations could have far-reaching consequences for the actors involved and possibly also impact the legal regulations on animal husbandry in Germany. ANINOVA calls for fundamental reform in the treatment of farm animals and is determined to stand up for their rights.