PETA pressures German authorities over pet abandonment fines and rooster‑crowing festival

German animal‑protection law prohibits abandoning pets, classifying it as an administrative offence punishable by fines of up to €25,000. If the abandonment causes pain, suffering or death, it can be prosecuted as animal cruelty under § 17 TierSchG, carrying up to three years in prison. PETA highlights the lack of official statistics, estimating 50,000‑80,000 animals are deliberately abandoned each year and noting draft amendments that could raise the fine ceiling to €50,000.

In the town of Schramberg, PETA also criticised the annual rooster‑crowing competition held at the local forest festival. The organisation urged cancellation, offering 500 vegan sausages as an alternative and arguing that the event subjects the birds to stress, transport and loud noises. The local poultry‑breeding association rejected the request, defending the tradition as cultural heritage and stating the roosters are accustomed to the environment.