Court quashes conviction in case of beaten ostrich Zenek. Reason: neo-judges
Poznań appeals court has quashed the sentence that had convicted Łukasz S. to seven years in prison for killing an animal and other offences. The reason given for setting aside the case was that a neo-judge presided over the proceedings.
Verdict quashed in ostrich-beating case
A domesticated ostrich named Zenek lived on an agritourism farm in Bolechówka near Poznań. In January 2025, the animal was beaten with a stick, hit, kicked and dragged — it could not be saved.
In March 2026, Poznań district court convicted Łukasz S. to four years in prison for killing an animal and acting with particular cruelty, as well as a 15-year ban on keeping animals. The court also imposed a fine of 5,000 zloty to an animal shelter and 20,000 zloty in compensation to the owner. The indictment covered 21 offences — he was additionally convicted of drug offences, property damage and threats. In total, the man was to serve seven years.
According to tvn24.pl, Poznań appeals court has quashed the verdict and referred the case for reconsideration. The reason was the fact that the previous proceedings were presided over by a so-called neo-judge — a judge with no experience before 1989 appointed after changes to the judicial system.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)