Senior Nature Agency employee acquitted in cattle neglect case after witness changes testimony

A former senior employee of Denmark’s Nature Agency has been acquitted by the Western High Court over the neglect of 76 cattle in Mols Bjerge during the winter of 2020–2021, following a key witness altering their statement, DR reports.

The court ruled that prosecutors failed to prove the employee knew the animals were not receiving supplementary feed, which led to starvation and miscarriages among the herd. The Nature Agency previously admitted responsibility and paid an 800,000 kroner fine for the incident.

“The High Court emphasises that the senior employee was not continuously informed about the animals’ condition in Mols Bjerge, meaning criminal liability cannot be assigned,” said special prosecutor Bjørn Larsen of the Viborg State Attorney’s Office.

The acquittal overturns a May 2025 ruling by Randers District Court, which had sentenced the senior employee and a subordinate to three months’ suspended imprisonment for animal neglect. The subordinate—who initially accepted the verdict—later changed their testimony, creating doubt over whether they had properly briefed their superior.

“I understand it as the witness becoming uncertain about how thoroughly they had informed the senior employee,” Larsen said, acknowledging that witness statements can sometimes shift unexpectedly.

Defence lawyer Peter Trudsø confirmed his client was “very satisfied” with the outcome. Prosecutors will not appeal to the Supreme Court, as evidence no longer supports the employee’s involvement in the neglect.

“The case ends here,” Larsen concluded.