Court acquits former Nature Agency manager in Mols Bjerge animal neglect case

A Danish appeals court has overturned the conviction of a former Nature Agency manager found guilty of neglecting cattle in Mols Bjerge National Park, DR reports.

The Western High Court acquitted the 64-year-old former forest ranger on Monday, ruling he was not criminally responsible for violations of animal welfare laws during the winter of 2020–2021. The decision reverses a 2023 district court ruling that had sentenced him to three months’ suspended imprisonment.

The case centred on the treatment of up to 76 cattle involved in conservation grazing on state-owned land in Mols Bjerge. A veterinarian’s inspection found their condition “strongly criticisable,” prompting police involvement. The Nature Agency later admitted fault and paid an 800,000 kroner (€107,000) fine, with its director calling the incident “unacceptable.”

Prosecutors had argued the manager failed to ensure adequate feed and oversight. However, the High Court concluded the violations could not be attributed to him as intentional or negligent. The state will cover his legal costs for both trials.

The former manager, who led the agency’s Kronjylland division, was suspended from his position in 2024. A co-defendant, a former operations supervisor, was also convicted in the original trial; their appeal status was not addressed in Monday’s ruling.