CyberShield supports Menschen für Tierrechte BW e.V.

Normally, at CyberShield we talk about firewalls, updates, and how to stay safe online. But sometimes there are topics that move us so deeply that we need to step outside our tech bubble. By securing critical infrastructure, we help prevent human lives from being put at risk. With the turkey lawsuit by Tierrechte Baden-Württemberg e. V., the issue right now is enormous, ongoing animal suffering.

At CyberShield, we work every day to ensure that systems remain secure and that no one is left defenseless against attacks. Sadly, for turkeys, it’s exactly that: they are defenseless and dependent on others to stand up for them. That’s why we donated €1,500 to support Menschen für Tierrechte Baden-Württemberg e. V. (MfT BW) in this important step. And because we wanted to know what this lawsuit is really about and what the animals’ situation actually looks like, we asked Annette Bischoff from MfT BW for an interview.

Annette: MfT BW was founded over 40 years ago, in April 1983. At that time, the motivation was to give a voice to animals used and abused in experiments, to raise awareness of animal testing, and to find and support cruelty-free solutions. Until then, animal protection in Germany was mostly focused on dogs and cats.

Annette: Since the early 1990s, we have been active in the State Animal Protection Advisory Board of Baden-Württemberg to advocate for the protection and rights of all animals. In 2016, with the introduction of association lawsuit rights in Baden-Württemberg, MfT BW was recognized as one of only three associations authorized to bring such lawsuits. Another key area is public outreach – we raise awareness about the everyday suffering of animals in our society and inform people how everyone can live in a more animal-friendly way.

Annette Bischoff

Annette: How we treat animals affects nearly every area of both human and non-human life. We see this, for example, in climate change and the resulting changes in living conditions, the decline of biodiversity and habitats, and impacts on food supply. Our anthropocentric attitude, which places human life above everything else, has brought us to this point. We should all ask ourselves: why should human life and human interests automatically be more important than those of other living beings?

Annette: The suffering of animals in agricultural livestock farming is widespread and severe, even if it’s not obvious at first glance. For turkeys: around 36 million turkeys live in intensive livestock farming in Germany. Regarding housing, there are still only voluntary federal guidelines. For turkeys, this means overcrowded conditions that lead to feather pecking, cannibalism, and footpad inflammation. Toward the end of fattening, the turkeys – bred for excessive meat growth – can hardly carry their body weight. Routine beak trimming has been carried out for over 40 years, despite being banned, solely through special permits.

Annette: Through participation and lawsuit rights, we learned that all beak trimmings are done under special permits. Since our statements and objections were ignored, we decided to take legal action specifically on behalf of these turkeys – and ultimately to change turkey farming fundamentally. Only association lawsuit rights provide the possibility to go beyond individual cases.

Annette: Injustice of any kind, abuse of power, ruthlessness, selfishness, and above all the fact that animals are treated not as living beings but as commodities/things – that drives me to act. I don’t want to just accept that. Animals in particular depend on our help and commitment. I believe everyone wants to end animal suffering and improve animals’ lives and living conditions.

Annette: First and foremost, through donations, membership in our association, or sponsorship. We depend on this to work effectively and competently for the animals. Legal proceedings, in particular, involve high costs. Even though we serve the public interest, we don’t get any discounts. We must pay the same fees for expert opinions, court costs, or specialists as our well-funded opponents, who profit greatly from exploiting animals.

Annette: Everyone can do something. A vegan lifestyle, voluntary or professional commitment to animals and animal rights, or financial support for nonprofit organizations that advocate for animal rights – all of this helps shift society’s perspective on animals. This way, everyone can contribute to improving living conditions for animals. Nowadays, it’s easy to choose a cruelty-free lifestyle – you just have to want to.

Annette: My greatest wish is that many people will support us so that we can achieve our goals as quickly as possible – and so that our work will no longer be necessary.