Animal protection ruling in Lower Saxony: activists have to pay 98,000 euros!

Animal protection ruling in Lower Saxony: activists have to pay 98,000 euros!

Activists in Lower Saxony are faced with the ruins of their plans after a controversial ruling by the Oldenburg regional court. Two animal rights activists who secretly filmed videos in a slaughterhouse have been convicted and now actually have to pay compensation. Loud NDR The two, whose identities became known as agricultural scientist Anna Schubert and photographer Hendrik Haßel, documented the anesthetic methods in animal husbandry in order to draw attention to the practices of the slaughter industry.

The images show how pigs are treated with highly concentrated carbon dioxide (CO2) for anesthesia. Although this method is common, many consider it controversial. The animal rights activists now have to speak loudly for their secret recordings Mirror pay a total of 98,000 euros to the slaughterhouse operator and will no longer be allowed to enter the premises without permission. In addition, an injunction was issued, which is primarily directed against Schubert, who is also responsible for publishing the videos.

Overview of the judgment

The verdict, which was handed down on July 16, 2025 (ref. 5 O 326/25), cost the two committed activists more than just money. They not only reaped legal consequences, but also raised the question of the ethical acceptability of CO2 stunning. A lawyer, Barbara Felde, criticized this method as a violation of German animal protection law and instead advocated for the use of electric pliers as a more humane option.

The cause of action for the high claims for damages is based not only on the illegal recordings, but also on the associated legal disputes that the slaughterhouse had to wage with the activists. The operator has invoked EU law that allows these practices and points to the fact that an estimated 80 percent of pigs in Germany are stunned in this way. It remains to be seen to what extent the lawsuit will be successful or whether the activists will successfully appeal.

Future steps of activists

Both activists have already announced that they will appeal the verdict. This could lead to further legal disputes and reignite the debate about animal welfare and agricultural practices. These published, clearly visible insights into the practices of the meat industry continue to cause heated public debate. It remains to be seen whether the reactions and the judgment will result in a comprehensive new regulation.

Overall, the case shows that the issue of animal protection and production methods in agriculture is constantly in flux. It remains exciting to see whether and what changes society and politics will strive for in the future. The events surrounding the slaughterhouse in Lower Saxony are further proof that the topic of animal protection is still very important and the discussions are unlikely to die down any time soon.