Suspected severe torture: five heads of cattle dead, three animals in very poor condition

Authorities in the village of Iljaševci, part of the municipality of Križevci, have confirmed the discovery of five dead cattle heads and three other animals in severe physical and health conditions, raising concerns over potential animal cruelty. The incident was identified during an inspection of livestock operations conducted by the Office for Food Safety, Veterinary Medicine and Plant Protection. The inspection took place on August 14, 2026, with the latest action recorded at 17:48 local time. The inspection revealed alarming conditions, prompting authorities to suspect serious neglect or mistreatment of the animals. One of the affected animals was euthanized due to its critical health state, while the remaining two live animals were immediately removed from their owner’s care and relocated to a temporary barn where they received appropriate veterinary care and proper housing. The deceased animals will be transported to Ljubljana's Veterinary Faculty for thorough examinations to determine causes of death and preserve evidence necessary for further legal proceedings. The Office for Food Safety, Veterinary Medicine and Plant Protection has stated that it will continue its investigative process based on all collected facts and results of expert inspections. It will take appropriate measures within its jurisdiction and in accordance with current legislation. At this stage, additional information regarding the investigation cannot be disclosed. The Slovenian Farmers' Association (KGZS) has condemned the incident as unacceptable and strongly criticized any form of animal cruelty or neglect. They expect all legally mandated procedures to be carried out thoroughly and have expressed willingness to cooperate with relevant institutions. The association emphasized that this case represents an isolated incident and does not reflect the overall condition of Slovenia’s livestock sector. They stressed that such actions harm the reputation of all Slovenian farmers and warned against generalizing or stigmatizing the entire agricultural community based on individual cases. “A large majority of Slovenian farmers take responsible, professional, and passionate care of their animals,” the association noted. “Animal welfare, their health, and the quality of farming are the foundation of their work.” The association also reiterated its commitment to promoting responsible farming practices, professional education, and awareness, as well as zero tolerance for all forms of animal cruelty and neglect. These efforts aim to ensure that incidents like the one in Iljaševci remain rare and that the integrity of the broader agricultural sector is preserved. The situation has sparked discussions among local officials and industry representatives, who are working together to address the issue and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Further steps will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigations and the outcomes of the veterinary assessments. Authorities have assured the public that all necessary actions will be taken to uphold standards of animal welfare and enforce relevant laws.