Beringen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A Beringen-based illegal dog and cat breeder has been sentenced to one year in prison and fined €60,000 for severe animal neglect and unsanitary conditions.
The man was also given a lifelong ban on keeping animals.
“He did not make sufficient use of a veterinarian, chip numbers were missing and the scratching posts were dirty and covered in urine,”
the judge ruled.
As demonstrated by the weekend closure of Viersel Pond to stop disturbances and barbecues, restricting public access during periods of high nuisance (such as weekends) can lessen the likelihood of criminal activity in Beringen, Belgium.
Illegal activity is discouraged by assigning park rangers or qualified law enforcement officers to patrol the area, warn of potential dangers, and punish violators with fines or other penalties. Unauthorized grilling and commercial activity are deterred by visible presence.
Signs that clearly forbid littering, grilling, and unpermitted vending inform guests of the regulations and penalties. Public awareness campaigns promote community reporting of infractions and proper use.
Misuse can be reduced by removing or limiting amenities that support unlawful activity, such as places set aside for barbecuing or private locations hidden behind trees.
The provision of designated picnic areas and appropriate garbage disposal redirects visitor behavior into manageable patterns.
The man sold his puppies weekly for prices of up to 1,650 euros, while he receives a disability benefit.
“The defendant wanted to make as much money as possible in the shortest possible time,”
the judge said.
The 45-year-old Beringenaar’s wife was also sentenced. Half of the 8,000 euros she must pay in fines will be suspended. With the exception of one pet per child, she is also prohibited from owning any animals for three years.
Half of the 2,000 euro fine imposed on a third defendant was suspended. He gave the Beringen man a place to set up his illegal nursery.
How did the Beringen breeder keep animals in such poor conditions?
The Beringen breeder, who followed a larger trend in illicit breeding operations, maintained animals in appalling conditions by keeping them in small, dirty cages full with excrement and urine-soaked scratching posts.
These breeders put business ahead of the welfare of their animals, treating them more like commodities than like friends. They frequently deny dogs and cats exercise, socializing, and veterinary treatment by keeping them in tiny, shoddy cages or hutches with insufficient shelter in order to save money.
Animals suffer from persistent stress, parasites, and diseases as a result of living around their own feces. Overbreeding frequently results in puppies that are more likely to have genetic and health issues as well as physical strain on the mothers.
Lailuma Sadid is a former diplomat in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Embassy to the kingdom of Belgium, in charge of NATO. She attended the NATO Training courses and speakers for the events at NATO H-Q in Brussels, and also in Nederland, Germany, Estonia, and Azerbaijan. Sadid has is a former Political Reporter for Pajhwok News Agency, covering the London, Conference in 2006 and Lisbon summit in 2010.
