Facts
The appellants [A.A.] and [B.A.] operate an agricultural business with cows, young animals, and calves in [U.] /TransA. Following an inspection of the stables, the Veterinary Office of the Canton of Thurgau found that the appellants had violated various provisions of animal welfare legislation. The appellants appealed to the Administrative Court of the Canton of Thurgau, which dismissed the appeal. The appellants then appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
The appellants claim that the lower court violated their rights by arbitrarily establishing the facts and assessing the evidence, and by violating their right to be heard. They request that the judgment of the Administrative Court of the Canton of Thurgau be set aside and that it be established that they did not violate the provisions mentioned in items 2 and 3 of the decision of the Veterinary Office of May 22, 2018.
Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court examines the appeal and finds that the lower court did not arbitrarily establish the facts and assess the evidence. It also finds that the lower court did not violate the appellants' right to be heard.
The Federal Supreme Court then proceeds to the substantive assessment and finds that the appellants violated Art. 41 para. 3 AniWO by not setting up a calving pen in their stable [C.] . It also finds that the appellants violated Art. 10 para. 1 AniWO by not equipping the lying boxes with the required minimum…