If you don’t protect animals, who will? Take action for them today
News
Get the latest news and updates from Animal Equality

German High Court Confirms Legality of Undercover Investigation

February 22, 2018 Updated: June 30, 2022
Automotive lighting,Space,Midnight,Lens flare,Event

In the past few years, animal protection organizations have repeatedly released undercover investigations that reveal the terrible suffering of farmed animals. Usually, there are only little to no consequences at all for the operators of the investigated facilities – even in cases of extreme animal cruelty and serious animal welfare violations. Instead, those who work to shed a light on these horrific conditions are often accused. Today, however, for the first time, a Higher Regional Court in Germany confirmed the legality of an undercover investigation.

What Had Happened

In 2013 the German animal rights organization Animal Rights Watch (ARIWA) released a shocking undercover investigation from one of the largest pig breeding farms in Germany, the “van Gennip Tierzuchtanlagen GmbH” in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt. The footage revealed extreme animal cruelty and serious animal welfare violations. While the criminal prosecution of the operators of the farm had been abandoned by the end of 2015, three undercover investigators were charged with trespassing in September 2016. They had been found not guilty in both the original trial and during the appeal. And today, in the revision hearing, the verdict has been announced: The Higher Regional Court of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt (Germany) acquitted the three defendants, thus confirming the two previous verdicts of the district court and the regional court.

Why Investigations Are So Important

So-called farmed animals endure unbearable agony in fattening farms and slaughterhouses. Without the exposure of animal welfare violations by undercover investigators, their suffering would never be known to the public. At Animal Equality we celebrate this verdict and hope it sends a clear message: Compassion is not a crime. Animal cruelty must continue to be revealed.


Latest News
March 28, 2025

Italy banned male chick killing in 2022, yet the slaughter quietly continues. From the heart of Rome to its most iconic landmark, advocates are demanding action.
March 20, 2025

Update February 2025 – Before the 2024 elections, Labour MP Steve Reed promised to ban foie gras imports. Months later–now as a Government Minister–he has failed to act. Worse still, the Government is considering a trade deal with Europe that could ease imports instead.  Animal Equality met with Reed’s constituents…
March 28, 2025

A “bloodied” soccer ball and an urgent message on the Colosseum put animal cruelty in the spotlight this February. Here’s how global advocates turned up the heat on industries and governments failing animals.