The head of the Nature Agency Kronjylland, forester Peter Brostrøm, and a former operations manager have been found guilty of neglect of cattle in Mols Bjerge and sentenced to a suspended prison sentence of three months each. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday at the Court in Randers.

The charges stemmed from the neglect of 76 cattle that grazed on the Nature Agency Kronjylland’s land in Mols Bjerge from November 2020 to February 2021. The court determined that the defendants failed to provide adequate instruction to staff regarding feed allocation and did not properly supervise the grazing conditions to ensure animal welfare.

The indictment stated that many of the animals were severely emaciated, with visible ribs and sharp hip corners, and some cows aborted dead calves due to malnutrition. The cattle subsisted on grass, leaves, bark, and broom throughout the winter until they were moved to stables in February 2021 and given supplementary feed.

A report prepared in mid-February indicated that the animals’ body condition was “below all criticism” and “grossly on the verge of violating the Animal Welfare Act.” Following a police report filed on March 5, 2021, an inspection by police and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration led to a police investigation and subsequent charges against the Nature Agency, Peter Brostrøm, and the operations manager.

Prior to the trial, the Nature Agency agreed to pay a fine of DKK 800,000. Nature Agency Director Peter Ilsøe described the case as “serious and unfortunate” and stated that the agency has “learned a lot from the process,” initiating further employee training, contingency plans for food shortages, and a welfare assessment system.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty, but the Special Prosecutor Katrine Klausen expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating that they were found guilty in all essential respects. Peter Brostrøm’s defense attorney has announced an appeal for acquittal, while the lawyer for the retired operations manager acknowledged the judgment. Peter Brostrøm has been relieved of his duties since the charges were filed.