Sheep Wotan and Thor
Confiscated animals are not uncommon
Wotan and Thor are now in species-appropriate husbandry at Gut Aiderbichl
The number of confiscated animals at Gut Aiderbichl continues to grow. The Merino sheep Wotan and Thor have been living at Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf’s animal visitor centre for some time now. The two sheep were about three months old when the veterinary office confiscated the animals and requested their admission to Gut Aiderbichl. The lambs come from an extremely unethical husbandry and have been experiencing what it means to be allowed to live in a species-appropriate environment for several weeks.
Confiscation is the most important means of enforcement in animal welfare under administrative law.
When animals are not kept in a species-appropriate manner, are locked up, do not get enough food, are not allowed to roam free or are killed in an agonising manner, the veterinary office comes into play.
Sometimes we may not be sure whether an incident is animal cruelty or whether it will help at all if we do something about it. Sometimes we are also reluctant to “get involved” at all, because we suspect something and someone is being punished for their actions. However, we should quickly overcome these thoughts and doubts when it comes to the welfare of animals. If cruelty to animals is observed, we should secure evidence, contact the veterinary office and, in an emergency, call the police.
Are animals confiscated immediately?
A clarifying discussion with the animal owner and the agreement of a deadline may often be enough to improve the animal’s behaviour. However, if the agreements are not honoured, the animals will be confiscated. The decision as to whether confiscated animals are returned to the owner after structural measures that were not in order, for example, is left to the office. However, animal owners rarely sign a waiver. The ownership rights then go to Gut Aiderbichl, an animal shelter or other animal facilities, for example.
The importance of Merino sheep
The Merino sheep is a fine wool sheep breed that originally comes from North Africa. Merino sheep arrived in Spain in the High Middle Ages, where they became economically important due to their sought-after wool. It was not until the 19th century that other countries also had large herds of Merino sheep. Currently, Australia is the main supplier of merino wool.
The animals are shorn down to the skin and produce between two and four kilograms of wool per year. Up to ten kilograms of merino wool can be obtained from top animals.
Of course, Wotan and Thor are also shorn at Gut Aiderbichl, just like all the other sheep that live with us.
Wotan and Thor love the freedom at Gut Aiderbichl
The two Merino sheep have made lots of friends and were immediately accepted into the flock of sheep in Deggendorf. They love the free range, the huge pastures, the clean barn, the good food and the keepers who fulfil (almost) every wish of their charges.
The animals stood very still as they were unloaded, exhausted, and one, which was bleeding, looked in front of it with an expression on its black face and soft black eyes like a child in tears. It was the expression of a child who has been severely punished and doesn't know what for or how to escape the torture and brute force.
– Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919)
Wotan and Thor should be allowed to enjoy their happy lives at Gut Aiderbichl in Deggendorf.
From: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
Sheep Wotan
Merino-landscape-sheep
Three-month-old Wotan and his brother Thor were confiscated by the veterinary office from an animal welfare violation. Both are doing well and are currently learning what it means to grow up in the interests of animal welfare. All the best to both of you!
Sheep Thor
Merino-landscape-sheep
Three-month-old Thor and his brother Wotan were confiscated by the veterinary office from an animal welfare violation. Both are doing well and are currently learning what it means to grow up in the interests of animal welfare. All the best to both of you!
