German poultry slaughterhouse Buckl managers may avoid trial over animal cruelty
Prosecutors in Ansbach, Bavaria, have offered the two managers of the former Buckl poultry slaughterhouse to drop the criminal case against a payment of 1,500 euros each. The plant was shut down after a 2025 animal cruelty scandal.
The former Buckl poultry slaughterhouse in Wassertrüdingen, in Middle Franconia in the German state of Bavaria, was at the centre of an animal welfare scandal. Its two managing directors now appear unlikely to face trial. The Ansbach public prosecutor's office has offered to discontinue the case against a monetary payment, according to Bavarian public broadcaster BR.
Each manager would pay 1,500 euros. They have until 24 November 2026 to respond to the offer. Whether the case will actually be dropped remains open.
Expert report findings
According to prosecutors, an expert report now available confirms that a technical weakness in the slaughter line caused the heads of some live chickens to be torn off. Prosecutors say it is hard to prove that the managers knew about the defect. Their possible criminal liability lies in the grey area between intent and negligence.
The authority also took into account the considerable economic consequences of the plant's closure for the accused. In addition, the managers helped to identify employees who were involved in the alleged animal welfare violations.
Penalties for employees
Prosecutors applied for penalty orders against seven employees, with fines ranging from 30 to 180 daily rates. Six of these have since become legally binding, while a decision on the seventh is still pending. Five further cases were handed to the competent Bavarian supervisory authority as administrative offences.
The animal rights organisation Aninova sharply criticises the possible discontinuation. It considers it incomprehensible that those responsible might not have to stand trial.
Background
In April 2025, secretly filmed videos made serious animal welfare violations at Buckl public. The plant, which slaughtered tens of thousands of laying hens daily and processed them into soup chickens, had to close. Plans to continue operating the slaughterhouse under new management also failed.
