Some farmers northern Switzerland are concerned that dog poo left on grass is dangerous for their cows as it can transmit deadly parasites.

"/> Some farmers northern Switzerland are concerned that dog poo left on grass is dangerous for their cows as it can transmit deadly parasites.

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Swiss farmers: dog poo is poisoning our cows

Some farmers northern Switzerland are concerned that dog poo left on grass is dangerous for their cows as it can transmit deadly parasites.

Swiss farmers: dog poo is poisoning our cows
André Mouraux

The typically Swiss image of quiet cows grazing idly on lush green mountain meadows may turn out not to be so idyllic after all.

A Swiss newspaper is reporting growing concern among farmers in Canton Aargau, in the north of the country, about dog waste deposited on the country’s meadows.

“Dog dirt in the grass is a health hazard for cows and can lead to the death of the animals,” the Aargauer Zeitung quotes from a note from the village of Büttikon, northern Switzerland. The paper says dog owners are now being threatened with legal action in cases where cows are proven to be harmed.

According to a local tale, a cow died 10 years ago in the region after eating grass contaminated with dog faeces, an event that, while never proven, was enough to get the farmers worried.

Vets appear to downplay the health risk, says the paper, adding that only 10% of cases of transmission of dangerous parasites occur between dog and cow.

“From time to time a parasite is transmitted,” Dr. Adrian Meyer was quoted as saying by the paper. The worms most commonly present in dog poo cannot be transmitted from dogs to cows, however. Faeces of foxes, or even birds and insects are more likely to pose a risk of infection.

“It’s all much more complex than to say: it was the dog,” Dr. Meyer said.

PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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