Brutal, dangerous hobby hunter tortures horses

A brown horse stands tightly tethered in a stable; a hobby hunter picks up a metal shovel and strikes brutally: on the back, on the belly, on the head of the animal. Then he picks up a pitchfork and stabs.

These brutal scenes were captured by a camera that had been secretly installed in the stable. In recent weeks, the camera has recorded drastic acts of animal cruelty.

Abuse brought to an end

A riding instructor used the secretly recorded video footage to approach the Warendorf District Veterinary Office and submitted it as evidence. The authority responded immediately and filed a criminal complaint for animal cruelty.

Together with the police, district staff removed 15 horses from the equestrian yard. The police also seized the stable operator's hunting rifles. The whistleblower recounts: «I was told: Don't go there. It's dangerous.» For more on this topic, see Crime and Hunting.