A Beersheva court indicted the owner of a sick cow on animal cruelty charges – because he refused to allow Agricultural Ministry officials to destroy the animal, which was suffering from a debilitating bovine disease. Destroying the cow, required by law in the case of certain terminal illnesses among cattle, prevents inevitable suffering and alleviates the possibility of infection of other animals, Ministry officials told the court.
The cow was examined by a local veterinarian, who issued a certificate requiring the animal to be destroyed. In such situations, the owner of the animal is compensated by the state for his loss – but this cow’s owner balked at what he considered the too small sum of NIS 500 for his sick cow. Instead, he decided to seek a buyer on the private market. The man held onto the cow for another two days before finding a buyer – and then moved the animal to the barn of the purchaser, causing the cow even more suffering, the court said. If convicted, he will face up to three years in prison and/or a fine of NIS 202,000.
The cow was examined by a local veterinarian, who issued a certificate requiring the animal to be destroyed. In such situations, the owner of the animal is compensated by the state for his loss – but this cow’s owner balked at what he considered the too small sum of NIS 500 for his sick cow. Instead, he decided to seek a buyer on the private market. The man held onto the cow for another two days before finding a buyer – and then moved the animal to the barn of the purchaser, causing the cow even more suffering, the court said. If convicted, he will face up to three years in prison and/or a fine of NIS 202,000.