Schkölen, 22.04.2026. In Schkölen in the Saale-Holzland-Kreis, a horse was allegedly injured with a sharp object. The Kriminalpolizei Jena has launched an investigation into a suspected violation of the Animal Welfare Act and is asking the public for assistance.
- Location: Schkölen (Saale-Holzland-Kreis)
- Event: Suspected animal cruelty (injured horse)
- Discovery: Tuesday afternoon
- Witness call: Kriminalpolizei Jena, Tel. 03641 810, E-Mail: kpi.jena@polizei.thueringen.de
Injury confirmed by veterinarian
On Tuesday afternoon, a concerned horse owner from Schkölen alerted the authorities after discovering an unusual wound on one of her animals. A veterinarian called in for examination confirmed the initial suspicion: the injuries found indicate that the horse was allegedly intentionally harmed with a sharp object.
Criminal police seeking witnesses
No other injured animals are currently known in the vicinity of Schkölen. The Kriminalpolizei Jena has taken over the case and is investigating a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Investigators are now looking for individuals who have made suspicious observations in the area of horse paddocks or pastures in and around Schkölen in recent days.
Incidents in which horses are injured in pastures (often associated with so-called “horse rippers”) repeatedly cause uncertainty among owners throughout the region. The police generally advise horse owners and farmers to check paddock fences regularly and to pay particular attention to unknown persons or non-local vehicles near remote pastures. Riding stables and owner associations should exchange information and, in case of doubt, always report suspicious observations—such as persons who want to observe or feed animals for an unusually long time—immediately to the local police station to prevent potential acts at an early stage.
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Horse injured
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