St. Pölten-Land farm faces new animal cruelty allegations

The Verein gegen Tierfabriken (VGT) has filed its fourth complaint against a livestock farm in the St. Pölten-Land district of Lower Austria, alleging severe animal cruelty and systemic failures in oversight.

Video evidence released by the VGT depicts approximately 1,000 cattle, sheep, and goats living in catastrophic conditions. The footage shows animals standing knee-deep in excrement, emaciated goats, and instances of physical violence against the livestock. According to the VGT, an average of two animals died per day between April and August 2026, totaling 249 deaths in that period.

The investigation highlights a significant breach of legal restrictions. Although the primary farmer has been under a strict animal husbandry ban since May 2023—with operations officially transferred to his wife—the VGT claims the man continues to work in the stables. The organization also criticized local authorities for ineffective monitoring, noting that despite previous task forces and scheduled inspections, the conditions have not improved. The district administration has not provided detailed information regarding recent or planned inspections.