Cow trainer

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“Cow trainer” above the neck area of ​​dairy cows in tethered housing, South Tyrol 2010

A cow trainer is a temporary, more rarely a permanently energized metal bracket, which is intended to force the animals to step back to the manure channel when defecating / urinating. The cow trainer is used mainly in the tethering of cattle use. It is placed about two inches above the highest point of the back. If the cow arches her back to defecate , she receives an electric shock - similar to touching an electric fence  - which causes her to take a few steps back in the direction of the manure ditch on the stable lane . If she defecates there, she will not be electrocuted. The cow trainer is used to keep the boxes clean. The animals come into contact with the cow trainer not only when they defecate and urinate, but also during other movements, for example when they want to lick each other. This leads to the fact that the freedom of movement, which is already considerably restricted by the connection, is additionally reduced, so the cows constantly have to suppress natural movements and behaviors under tension.

Animal rights activists have been protesting against cow trainers for a long time, as they are incompatible with animal welfare . In Germany, however, since the amendment of the Animal Welfare Act ( Section 3 TierSchG No. 11 ) at the end of 2010 , cow trainers have not been banned in principle, as the considerable pain, suffering or damage required by the legal text is not demonstrably caused for the animals. These devices are banned in Sweden, new systems have not been allowed to be installed in Austria since 2005 and old devices can only be put into operation on a maximum of one day per week. The guidelines of the German organic associations generally prohibit the use of the devices, but this area is not regulated in the EC organic regulation . In Switzerland, various label programs ( KAGfreiland , Bio Suisse ) prohibit the use of cow trainers, but they are generally still permitted there, but may not be used more than two days a week. In addition, only approved power supply units - which switch off after a breakdown - may be used. New installations have not been permitted since September 2013. In 2016, an estimated 300,000 cows were kept with a cow trainer.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Art. 35 Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV). January 1, 2013, accessed May 4, 2013 .
  2. ↑ Milk production and animal welfare. (PDF; 3.2 MB) Swiss Animal Welfare , 2016, accessed on January 26, 2020 .

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