Buremärit in Münsingen reported over inadequate animal husbandry
Swiss Animal Protection and the Veterinary Office had nothing good to say about the Buremärit.
The Buremärit in Münsingen attracted not only the criticism of Swiss Animal Protection due to inadequate animal husbandry.
Jean-Jacques Fünfschilling, regarded as the “father of the Buremärit,” bears responsibility for the incidents that led to fines in 2022.
Animal protection authorities noted that most of the animals appeared to be overwhelmed. For instance, “domestic and guinea fowl breathing through their beaks” were observed, Java sparrows had “cowered in fear into the corner of the cage,” and donkeys displayed “pinched nostrils and flattened ears.”
Noise levels and temperatures were also reported as high. In addition, animal welfare inspectors noted “joyless and inadequately equipped cages with no opportunity for retreat.”
In August and September, employees of the cantonal Veterinary Office also visited the event. They recorded that “some cages were standing on the ground,” many enclosures offered no retreat for the animals, and animals were “taken out of their cages for display and left to be petted by visitors.” Furthermore, a pony was coughing and had “mucous nasal discharge.”
Subsequently, the Bernese public prosecutor's office issued penalty orders for violations of the Animal Protection Act — on the one hand against Fünfschilling, who accepted the fine “grudgingly,” and on the other against a man who was said to have been responsible for inspections. He filed an objection, and as a result the case went to court, reports the Berner Zeitung.
With Fünfschilling's withdrawal, Susanne Schneider is now taking over the management of the Buremärit and is committed to constructive cooperation with the Veterinary Office and animal welfare authorities. She emphasises the importance of species-appropriate animal husbandry and sees the Buremärit as a better platform for the sale of animals than the internet.
Schneider is willing to work with the critical institutions and has noted some improvements since taking office. The challenges lie primarily in visitor numbers and limited exhibition time.
