published
Deficiencies in dog breedingAgainst the Bernese husky farmer, there are now also ads in Sweden
After dog breeder Fritz B. came into conflict with the Swiss authorities a few years ago, he and his partner fled to Scandinavia. Now he’s in trouble there too.
B. and his partner bred huskies in the Emmental, and he kept getting into trouble with the veterinary office. Then he moved to Lapland, but the problems remained the same: he now has ads in Sweden too.
Hans Wüthrich / Berner Zeitung
When 34 dogs were confiscated in 2018, the authorities found some emaciated animals.
«20 minutes» (archive)
-
Fritz B.* first bred huskies in Eastern Switzerland, then in the Emmental.
-
Inadequate animal husbandry prompted the canton of Bern to confiscate 39 of its more than 50 huskies.
-
In November 2018, the breeder emigrated to Lapland with his partner.
-
Critical voices file a class action lawsuit against the breeder and his practices with the competent veterinary authority in Sweden.
Abuses related to his husky breeding brought Fritz B.* repeatedly into conflict with the Swiss authorities. In 2008 he was convicted in court in St. Gallen for various violations of the Animal Welfare Act and animal cruelty. Court records state that his animals are “moderately fed” and poorly cared for.
When the veterinary office asked B. to reduce his dog population to 19 huskies in 2014, he took the case to the federal court. In September 2018, after years of proceedings, 39 of his more than 50 dogs were confiscated by the canton of Bern. Two months later the breeder emigrated to Lapland. Now further allegations and accusations are being made in Sweden.
Class action lawsuit based on the conditions
But accusations are now being made against B. in northern Sweden, too «Bern newspaper» reported. According to a Swiss animal rights activist living there, a group of “concerned people” filed a class action lawsuit with the veterinary office in Sweden. The allegations range from emaciated dogs to animals with diarrhea to injured and lame huskies.
According to Mike Kesselring, a former helper at B.’s farm, the animals lack feed and hygiene. Harassment, threats and verbal violence are also mentioned in this context. Furthermore, Kesselring reports on a non-disclosure agreement that helpers had to sign. Conditions on the farm prompted Kesselring to flee.
What are the authorities doing?
A pair of neighbors from the husky breed in Arvidsjaur, Sweden, is also not very enthusiastic about the Emmental emigrant and has already reported him several times. B. slandered, harassed and threatened her, dug up water from her property and the dogs barked constantly. So far nothing has been done.
The aforementioned Swiss animal rights activist suspects that B. is being protected by a member of the Swedish police. Even when the breeder made a death threat to a neighbor, the responsible police officer did not react, which is why they called the corruption agency.
*Name known to editors
Don’t miss any more news
With the daily update you stay informed about your favorite topics and don’t miss any more news about current world events.
Receive the most important information directly in your mailbox every day.
