Merchtem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Authorities removed 49 owls from a Merchtem hobby breeder, triggering claims of intimidation and criticism of wildlife legislation amid rising tensions.
After her 49 owls were seized, 44- year-old Merchtem owl breeder Jessy Maes is launching a solicitation against stricter animal welfare regulations. In an effort to reverse the confiscation, she’s also pursuing legal action.
“Many of my owls are small. Even for those animals, the rules are unfeasibly strict. This is the end for hobby breeders.”
At home in Peizegem, Jessy breeds 49 distinct species of owls.
“The majority of the owls are no bigger than a sparrow or a canary,”
says Jessy.
“I have about 200, and everything went well. I modified the cages where necessary to comply with the law. But the Flemish government tightened the regulations considerably. Did you know that I have to build a fifteen-square-meter cage for 12 European pygmy owls, which are no bigger than a sparrow?”
Jessy was initially raided by the Animal Welfare Department in 2023.
“I was literally shocked: police cars everywhere, armed officers and Flemish government vehicles, and a large group of people in uniform at the door. They gave me a document saying they were coming to conduct an inspection. After an hour-long inspection, they concluded that I didn’t have any illegal animals,
that there was no neglect, and that the animals weren’t sick. But I did have to clean my cages, with a transition period until January 1, 2023.”
“They’ve raided three more times this year. Each time, it was disproportionate, with a huge display of force. We all love our owls very much. It was like I was a criminal.”
After an inspection on December 2nd, it turned out that not all cages were up to code. Animal Welfare then confiscated 49 owls.
“Owls that were in a fully renovated aviary that met the standards, as well as owlets sitting under the heat lamp and owlets that were brooding, were also taken,”
says Jessy.
“I have until January 31, 2026, to adapt the enclosures for the other birds, but that’s not easy,”
sighs Jessy.
“I’m running into spatial planning regulations and can’t just expand; I won’t get a permit.”
The Animal Welfare Department of the zone is looking into the situation, according to Police Commissioner Fred Scrayen (PZ AMOW).
“The cages do not comply with the new legislation. There is a legal framework that must be followed. No weapons were drawn during the checks and seizures, although I understand it can be intimidating if they come to inspect.”
It was a series of inspections, according to the office of Flemish Animal Welfare Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA).
“Confiscations are never a first step: we only do them when absolutely necessary for the welfare of the animals. For example, this concerns insufficiently clean drinking water, birds kept in a garden shed, and a large number of enclosures that did not meet minimum standards.
We realize that a confiscation is never pleasant for an owner. We do this more often now than before.”
Owl breeder Jessy is devastated.
“It was really intimidating. If I had only had a few more weeks, most things would have been adjusted. We do everything ourselves. I really love those owls; I learned and adopted that from my father. They’re really well cared for here and protected.
These are also owls bred in captivity; they can’t survive in the wild. For example, I have Greenland eagle-owls, which are rare. If they become extinct, I can help with a breeding program.”
What penalties can hobby breeders face under the new wildlife law?
No specific” new wildlife law” in Belgium or Merchtem details penalties for hobbyhorse breeders, as recent quests yielded unconnected results, rather than Flemish or EU regulations.
Under EU CITES and Belgium’s beast weal laws (e.g., Flemish Decree on Animal Welfare), unlicensed parentage or possession of defended species like owls incurs forfeitures from €1,000 to €100,000 per animal, implicit imprisonment up to 5 years for serious violations, and confiscation of catcalls.
Reprise offenders face business closures, trip bans, and civil asset penalty; potterers must register via ANBTRA for exotics, with examinations driving seizures if enclosures fail hygiene, space, or attestation norms.
