The veterinary office in the Berlin district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf has rescued 48 cats of a torture breed from a two-room apartment. Some of the animals of the Ukrainian-Levkoy breed had severe physical impairments and breeding-related genetic defects, as the Marzahn-Hellersdorf district office announced on Thursday. Some of the animals were pregnant. The animal owner had resisted the official measures during the rescue operation last Saturday, which is why access to the apartment had to be forced with the support of the police. He was unable to provide any information on how many animals were living with him.
According to the authorities, the naked cats were distributed to voluntary foster homes in several federal states, where they are receiving veterinary care.
Owner faces "substantial fine"
"With the dissolution of this cattery, the last breeding of Ukrainian-Levkoy cats in Germany was probably stopped," explained the district office. The former owner was banned from keeping animals. The man also faces a "substantial fine". The owner was already known to the office, a spokesperson said. According to the authority, it had become aware of the animals because they were offered for sale on the internet.
