Aggressive cow killed: drama on the Ziller in Udern!

Aggressive cow killed: drama on the Ziller in Udern!

On Thursday morning, June 19, 2025, an apparently tragic incident occurred in Udern, Tyrol: A cow that had broken out of a pasture ran into the Ziller river and finally had to be killed by a hunter. According to [oe24.at] (https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/kuh-bel-in-tiroler-fluss- von-jaeger-erlegt/637813628), the animal overcame the fencing of a pasture into the river bed. A passerby noticed the cow in the water and immediately informed the police.

The water rescue and the fire brigade then attempted rescue. But the aggressive behavior of the animal made a rescue mission very difficult. These emergency services alerted by the attentive residents were ultimately unsuccessful. Finally, a hunter was informed who finally shot the cow to avoid further dangers for humans and animals. The dead animal was then recovered from the water, such as [tirolerzeitung.at] (https://www.tt.com/artikel/30911009/ausgebuexte-kuh-in-ziller-musste- von-jaeger-erschossen).

animal protection in focus

In the middle of such incidents, dealing with animals in society is currently being discussed increasingly. An example of this discussion is the upcoming amendment to the Animal Welfare Act in Germany, which is brought in today in the Bundestag. As reports bmel.de, the draft should be transferred to the committees for further advice after a plenary debate.

The aim of this change in law is to close existing gaps in law and enforcement in animal welfare. Areas such as online trading with animals and keeping animals in circuses are particularly affected. In addition, the draft provides for an increase in punishment for violations of animal welfare law, which is a reaction to previous grievances.

It remains to be seen how the legal framework will develop and whether such dramatic incidents, such as the cow shot, can be avoided in the future by better thought -out animal welfare measures and more respectful cooperation with the animals.