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Verdict for animal rights activists: Slaughterhouse in Lohne defends itself against exposure!
At the Oldenburg regional court, two animal rights activists were convicted of trespassing after they secretly obtained video evidence from the Lohne slaughterhouse. The decision also affects the controversial CO2 stunning of pigs.
Verdict for animal rights activists: Slaughterhouse in Lohne defends itself against exposure!
A heated legal dispute begins: two animal rights activists, Anna Schubert and Hendrik Hassel, were convicted of trespassing at the Oldenburg regional court. The case stems from an incident in April 2024, when the two activists secretly shot video footage at the Lohne slaughterhouse to denounce the controversial CO₂ stunning of pigs. But the judges' decision is causing waves. According to information from NDR The activists now not only have to pay legal fees, but also have to comply with a cease-and-desist order issued to distribute the material.
The activities of Schubert, who attached a camera to a CO₂ stunning system, drew attention to criticism of this practice. Loud South German newspaper Around 80% of pigs in Germany are stunned using this method, but the legal and ethical questions surrounding this process are far from being resolved. Critics of CO₂ stunning see it as animal cruelty, while supporters see it as economically necessary.
Verdict causes outrage
The slaughterhouse operator, Niko Brand, believed his reputation had been damaged by the publications and demanded 98,000 euros in damages. The court ruled that Schubert was responsible for publishing the material. The second activist, Hassel, was also convicted, but it was not possible to prove that he had distributed the recordings. Interestingly, Brand expressed his satisfaction with the verdict and described CO₂ anesthesia as animal welfare-compliant - a term that is highly controversial in view of the painful consequences of the method.
The CO₂ stunning of pigs is loud DJGT considered inappropriate because it not only irritates mucous membranes but also causes considerable suffering to the animals. In this context, Dr. Barbara Felde from the DJGT examines the legal situation and calls for options for action to end this practice through comprehensive statements.
Vocation and freedom of expression
The activists have already announced an appeal and see this verdict as an attack on their freedom of expression. Her lawyer, Benjamin Lück, sharply criticized the decision and pointed to the conflict between animal protection law and EU law. Meanwhile, the public prosecutor's office plans to investigate the activists for aiding and abetting trespassing, which is likely to make the issue even more explosive. Along with their vigil in front of the court, animal rights activists are calling for more transparency in the slaughter processes and defending public interest in the video recordings that show the often scandalous conditions of CO₂ stunning.