A 56-year-old man was tried on Thursday 1 December before the criminal court of Auxerre. Between 2017 and 2021, in his herd of about sixty cattle in Avallonnais, this farmer allegedly inflicted ill-treatment on several animals, resulting in the withdrawal of four cows “in vital emergency” and the euthanasia of another.
Facts
Between 2017 and 2021, a herd of around sixty cattle in Avallonnais was checked several times by a veterinary service as part of the allocation of European aid. “Since 2017, reception and accommodation problems have been encountered on agritourism. Absence of light, water, food and waste”, indicate the judges. We also discover a very emaciated cow, lying in the hay, unable to get up and which will subsequently be euthanized. During this period, the farmer receives four warnings and several calls to order. Four animals “in a state of vital emergency” were taken from him and entrusted to the Slaughterhouse Animal Assistance Work (OABA). “The animals were in bad condition, but it wasn’t the whole herd, the defendant justifies. It’s common in farms that they don’t stand up. They had their calves on her, I should have taken them off.” The farmer also disputes the reproaches made about water and light. “The court is not seized every week for stories of exploitation”, replies the president of the hearing.
He has been trained and knows the rules on the treatment of animals. He knew his cows were kept in bad shape.
During the trial, the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP) intervened in turn to report his behaviour. “He also has a herd of sheep and their conditions are similar to those of cattle. Regardless of the species, the treatment is the same, reports an inspector who is present at all checks. We are always very welcome, he hears reproaches, but nothing changes.” The OABA also condemns his behavior. “He’s been trained and knows animal welfare rules. He knew his cows were kept in bad shape. Even when we warn him we’re coming back, he doesn’t even pretend to act.” To justify this bad treatment, the farmer invokes his personal difficulties. “I had lost my mother in 2013 and my father got sick in 2016. I had to take care of him.” For financial reasons, he sold a large part of his cattle farm in February 2022 and now owns around ten animals.
requisitions
The prosecutor showed empathy, taking into account the defendant’s personal and professional problems. “He has been practicing for a long time, the regulations are getting stricter and lead breeders to be more diligent. He has also experienced a very difficult personal situation”. But the defendant’s inaction is imputed to him. “To help him, he has been advised to reduce his exploitation of him and many aids exist to fill the lack of means.” For its part, the defense insists on the defendant’s difficulties and on the profession of farmer. “He works every day and hasn’t gone on vacation for forty years. He has no income to live on and suffers from great loneliness, denounces the defendant’s lawyer. When he took over the operation in 1996 he was good and didn’t have had problems until 2017 But all his relatives left and he had to take care of his parents and two farms at the same time And to dispute some of his client’s mistreatment: “You will not deprive him of his reason for living and his means of subsistence”.
The representative of the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the seizure of four animals for the benefit of the Oaba, a fine of 3,000 euros and a five-year provisional ban on breeding.
decision
After deliberation, the Criminal Court of Auxerre sentenced the defendant to three months of suspended confinement, the confiscation of the four cattle for the benefit of the OABA and the payment of various fines and indemnities.
prize Vincelles’ “unlivable neighbour” remains in prison
Luigi Lamur
louis.lamure@centrefrance
