German Politicians Linked To Animal Cruelty After Secret Footage Reveals Horrific Living Conditions In Pig Factory

Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash

A deputy mayor and one other politician have been placed under investigation after the German Animal Welfare Office (Deutsches Tierschutzburo eV) revealed shocking footage of neglected and maltreated pigs in one of the largest hog farming facilities in Germany.

Horrific images and videos of animal cruelty that showcase injured pigs covered in blood in the facility have been shared by the German Animal Welfare Office.

The farm, which breeds about 5,000 to 10,000 pigs, and has not been named, is located in the municipality of Merzen in the town of Neuenkirchen of the Osnabruck district in the German state of Lower Saxony.

The cruel conditions of one of the largest pig fattening companies the municipality of Merzen in the German state of Lower Saxony. (Deutsches Tierschutzburo eV/Newsflash)

The vice mayor of the municipality of Merzen who was also the owner and deputy operation manager of the farm and another CDU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany) member are under investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The video footage showed that the animals had limited movements due to lack of space and were observed standing very close together on slatted floors.

CEO of the German Animal Welfare Office Jan Peifer, 40, told Newsflash: “At least 33 of the documented pigs have bitten bloody tails. Obviously, the company does not take care of the animals properly and does not allow them to be treated by a vet.”

The cruel conditions of one of the largest pig fattening companies the municipality of Merzen in the German state of Lower Saxony. (Deutsches Tierschutzburo eV/Newsflash)

Peifer explained that some of the pigs were motionless and apparently on the verge of death and added: “We also found a dead pig that had turned blue. Presumably, it had been lying dead in the facility for several days.”

The 40-year-old CEO who pointed out that this kind of treatment is illegal also revealed that the footage showed another dead pig that had clearly been eaten by the other pigs.

He said: “The farm is not fulfilling its duty at all. This was also made clear to us after seeing that many of the injured animals were not recorded as such.”

The cruel conditions of one of the largest pig fattening companies the municipality of Merzen in the German state of Lower Saxony. (Deutsches Tierschutzburo eV/Newsflash)

According to Peifer, the company owner had installed surveillance cameras to keep animal rights activists away rather than to actually monitor the wellbeing of the pigs.

It is unknown how the farm acquired the QS certification mark which ensures that the animals are kept under optimum conditions.

The German Animal Welfare Office suspects strings appalled at the political level involving the deputy mayor and the veterinary station which was responsible for animal control.

The cruel conditions of one of the largest pig fattening companies the municipality of Merzen in the German state of Lower Saxony. (Deutsches Tierschutzburo eV/Newsflash)

Peifer revealed that the farm, which is owned by the deputy mayor and his family, received over EUR 100,000 (GBP 86,000) per year through EU funds alone.

Accordingly, Peifer recommended a slightly different approach that should help the fight against animal cruelty by saying: “We can truly help animals through a vegan way of living only, since no animal wants go to a slaughterhouse voluntarily.”

An investigation has already started after the German Animal Welfare Office filed a complaint when they received the video recordings at the beginning of December 2020.

The cruel conditions of one of the largest pig fattening companies the municipality of Merzen in the German state of Lower Saxony. (Deutsches Tierschutzburo eV/Newsflash)

This is the sixth case of massive animal cruelty in pig farms in the state of Lower Saxony which was uncovered by the officials within the last few months.

Peifer added: “The responsible Ministry of Agriculture is repeatedly shaken by terrible footage. We constantly seek clarification but in the end nothing happens.

“If you want to save the pigs you should stop eating them, because anything else is considered animal cruelty.”

The cruel conditions of one of the largest pig fattening companies the municipality of Merzen in the German state of Lower Saxony. (Deutsches Tierschutzburo eV/Newsflash)

The German Animal Welfare Office has started an official campaign against this issue which highlights the most common problems with conventional pig farming.