Asamhof scandal: Animal protection activists uncover horrific conditions!

Asamhof scandal: Animal protection activists uncover horrific conditions!

Recently, a controversial topic has been causing heated discussions in the animal protection scene: the keeping of rabbits at the Asamhof in Kissing, Bavaria. According to the animal protection organization SOKO Tierschutz e.V., serious grievances were discovered there. Activists have been documenting the animal cruelty practices on the farm, which keeps thousands of rabbits for animal testing and meat production, for months. SOKO Animal Welfare announced this in a recent report, which stated that the animals lived in cramped cages and were sometimes injured or deformed. Stories of rough treatment evoke the darkness of animal welfare, conveyed through undercover footage that shows employees throwing rabbits over the edge of cages. Friedrich Mülln from SOKO Tierschutz suspects clear violations of the Animal Protection Act here. However, these allegations are rigorously denied at Asamhof.

The Aichach-Friedberg veterinary office declares that it has not found any conditions contrary to animal welfare during routine checks. Rumors of announced inspections in which deformed rabbits were killed are also rejected. In the debate about Asamhof, the presumption of innocence is repeatedly referred to, which in this context also alludes to the political career of Ludwig Asam, who has been active in the ranks of Alliance 90/The Greens since 2010. His exclusion from marketing networks and the end of his political career are direct consequences of these allegations.

Reactions and criticism

The discussion is polarizing, because not only animal rights activists are critical of the situation at Asamhof, there is also uncertainty within the Green Party. Critical voices accuse the party of previously supporting the expansion of rabbit farming for medical purposes, which could now end in a serious crisis. It is also criticized that radical activists, in their passion for putting supposed animal welfare above the welfare of people, limit the view of the entire debate. The topic is also being actively discussed on Instagram, where more than ten posts talk about a “blood dealer”.

Another point in this debate is the trend towards rabbit farming in Germany. The Animal Welfare Farming Ordinance from 2014 laid down specific regulations for commercial rabbit farming for the first time in order to improve keeping conditions. This includes regulations on husbandry design, species-appropriate care and regular stock checks. Rabbits are not allowed to live in isolation and must have access to species-appropriate food.

The view of the future

In view of the current incidents, SOKO Tierschutz is calling for stricter regulations and unannounced controls in order to prevent such abuses in the future. At a time when consumers are increasingly paying attention to animal-friendly products, it is essential to ensure transparency and greater responsibility in agriculture. In recent years, the Asamhof has significantly expanded its capacity for keeping and processing rabbits, and with this the responsibility that the management and the responsible authorities bear is also increasing.

The ongoing debate makes it clear: the treatment of animals in agriculture also has a moral dimension. The events at Asamhof not only arouse the interest of animal rights activists, but also raise questions that society as a whole must ask itself. To what extent are we prepared to support animal protection measures and how do we deal with the issue of animal use in business? It is important to find a balance between the needs of animals, agriculture and society.

For the future of rabbit farming, it is clear that there is an urgent need to continually review and adapt the legal framework to ensure the welfare of the animals. The current grievances at Asamhof are a wake-up call for everyone involved about how important it is to treat our fellow creatures respectfully and responsibly.

For more information on the allegations and the legal basis for keeping rabbits, see: weekly paper, ZDF, and BMELH.