6 fawns killed: complaint filed against Mühlviertel farmer

A heartbreaking animal drama, as has now become known, took place at the beginning of June on the meadow of an entrepreneur and FPÖ local councilor from Hellmonsödt, who has leased agricultural land in Eidenberg: According to a media report, a total of six fawns were killed by the mowing equipment during hay mowing. Four animals died immediately, two had their legs mown off. They were put out of their misery by hunters.

• You might also be interested in: Rescue from mowing: How drones track down fawns in tall grass

Local hunters had repeatedly offered the landowner the opportunity to fly drones over the meadow free of charge in order to locate the young game and bring it to safety. The landowner refused, saying that it was none of the hunters’ business what happened on his meadow. When a hunter drove to the meadow after mowing, he discovered the dead animals. The Mühlviertler was charged with animal cruelty. The Linz public prosecutor’s office has begun investigations, which was confirmed upon request.

Criminal complaint for animal cruelty

On June 9th and 10th, the hunters found the remains of two dead fawns, aged between two and three weeks, on the mown meadow. Two more were so badly injured that they had to be shot on the spot. The next day, two more dead fawns were discovered on a compost heap nearby. One of the hunters summed up: “Four fawns were dead. Two were still alive, had no legs and were screaming pitifully, we had to shoot them.”

A criminal complaint was filed immediately for animal cruelty. When asked, the Linz public prosecutor’s office confirmed on Sunday that it had received the police’s final report and had begun investigations. These could be completed as early as the end of July. The case will then either be closed or a lawsuit filed. If convicted, a prison sentence of up to two years could be imposed for animal cruelty.