Investigations by Topics:

30. March 2019

Poland | Bodzentyn | Monthly Report March: Cattle & Horse Markets

Veterinary inspectors cannot strike openly. They continue to work and express their protest by wearing jackets and badges with protest logos.

This month, our team visits the animal markets seven times, including the annual horse fair in Skaryszew (see investigation report 12th of March 2019). Despite the national Veterinary Inspection protest in Poland, the inspectors are present at the cattle market every time. Moreover, they organise joined controls with ITD (Road Transport Police)…

21. March 2019

Poland | Starachowice | Court Case No.4

Court case: Bull with an ingrown metal chain.

We are hearing the verdict in the case of a bull with part of metal chain ingrown in his head, the one that we documented during cattle market in May 2018.As always in cases of abuse, we reported it to the Police. This time, two persons are accused: the previous owner who allowed the chain to grow into the bull’s head, and the trader who - against…

25. February 2019

Poland | Bodzentyn | Monthly Report February: Cattle & Horse Markets

Empty cattle market after revealing scandal related to selling meat of downer animals.

After a big scandal in Poland related to selling meat of downer cattle (revealed at the end of January), there is much less animals at the Bodzentyn animal market. Sometimes we see only around 80 animals, some days there are more. We are told that the price of bovines is very low. Many animals are not sold and go back to the farms. Even Veterinary…

28. January 2019

Poland | Bodzentyn, Lagow | Monthly Report January Cattle & Horse Markets

Dangerous reloading of cattle in Bodzentyn

Not much is going on at the horse market in Bodzentyn. Sometimes we only see about 15 horses, some days no one shows up. The number of animals is also decreasing at Lagow cattle market. We are informed that the Mayor seriously considers closing the market in Lagow. In Bodzentyn the average number of cattle is decreasing as well, however it still…

31. December 2018

Poland | Bodzentyn, Lagow | Monthly Report December: Cattle & Horse Markets

Our team notices a cow with an ingrown horn.

In December, we expect a lot more animals at the markets because of Christmas. Surprisingly, at the horse market and the Lagow cattle market there are much less animals, whilst at the Bodzentyn cattle market the numbers are a bit higher. However, still a lot below the average of what we used to see before Christmas in previous years. 

This time we…

18. October 2018

Poland| | Starachowice | Court case no.3

We are visiting the court in Starachowice again. This time we are here to hear the verdict in the case of a cow with an ingrown rope, the one that we documented during cattle market in August 2017. As usual, we reported it to the Police. This time Police had no doubt and after initial analysis, sent the case to the court. After two court sessions…

18. October 2018

Poland | Starachowice | Court case

[Translate to English:] Einer von vier Kühen mit eingewachsenem Horn

We are in the court in Starachowice waiting for a judgment regarding four cases of cows with horns ingrown into their heads. We documented these injured animals at Bodzentyn cattle market between August and November 2016. We sent a notification about the offence to the Police. After a few months of collecting evidence and hearing the witnesses, the…

18. October 2018

Poland | Wloszczowa | Court case

We are visiting the court in Wloszczowa and waiting for the verdict of another cases of cows with ingrown horns into their head. During summer 2017 at Bodzentyn cattle market our team observed three injured animals. After collecting evidence and hearing the witnesses, the Police sent these cases to the court in Wloszczowa. The judge decides to…

27. September 2018

Poland | Bodzentyn| Monthly Report September: Cattle & Horse Markets

A cow with a swollen udder.

During the animal market inspection, our Farm Animal Service (FAS) team notices a couple of neglected animals. We spot a horse with overgrown hooves, a few cows with overgrown claws and a cow with a swollen udder probably caused by long-lasting mastitis. She should not have been transported to the market.

Additionally, our attention is brought to…