A Ukrainian man in his 40s has been sentenced to nine months in prison and deportation after subjecting cows to aggravated animal cruelty at a dairy farm on Öland. The incidents were captured on video, showing, among other things, the man kicking a cow lying down and pushing the handle of a manure scraper down the throat of an animal. According to the Kalmar District Court, the cows suffered significant harm.

Secretly recorded footage from the barn became central to the investigation into animal cruelty on the farm at Öland. The videos, recorded over several days in November 2025, show animals being handled excessively roughly in the stable.

The footage shows cows being kicked and beaten, sometimes with hands and sometimes with a so-called manure scraper – a tool designed only to scrape manure from the floors.

Fled the Russian Invasion

The man who has now been convicted worked at the farm as an animal caretaker. He is a Ukrainian citizen who came to Sweden a few years ago after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In police interviews, he explained that he had previously worked as a teacher and principal in his home country, but came here to provide for his family. In Sweden, he had previously worked on another farm but was let go after an animal under his care died in painful circumstances,

Kicked and Jumped on Cow

The district court places particular emphasis on two incidents that, according to the court, constitute aggravated animal cruelty. In one instance, the man is seen trying to get a cow up that is stuck under a metal divider in the stable. Instead of stopping or attempting to help the animal gently, he kicks and beats the cow and stomps on its body.

The court finds in its judgment that the actions were unjustifiably violent: “The way he acts, not least by kicking and jumping on the cow, served no purpose and caused suffering for the cow, which could not move away.” A veterinarian who reviewed the videos assessed that the cow was subjected to both pain and acute stress.

Pushed the Handle Down Animal’s Throat While Laughing and Filming

The second case concerns a situation where the man inserts the handle of a manure scraper into a cow’s mouth and pushes it down its throat. At the same time, he photographs the animal and laughs. Veterinary statements in the case describe the behavior as both painful and risky for the animal, with a risk of injury to the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus. Warning for graphic content in the video clip below.

In interviews, the man has denied intentionally harming the animal. He claims the cow itself took the handle into its mouth and down its throat. “Some animals want to chew and lick. The cow spat the scraper out by itself,” he said. However, the district court finds that the video clearly contradicts his explanation.

Previously Worked on a Farm Where Animals Died in His Care

The trial also revealed information about the man’s previous work on Swedish farms. He had also worked with livestock, including on a farm in Halmstad.

In interviews, he described a situation where a cow became stuck in a dividing wall during a night shift and later died. He said he had not realized at the time how serious the situation was. He lost his job after the incident.

Prison and Deportation

The severity of the crimes is deemed so high that no sanction other than prison is possible. The man is therefore sentenced to nine months in prison.

Because he lacks strong ties to Sweden, the district court also decided that he should be deported and banned from returning to the country for five years. His family—wife and four children—remain in Ukraine.

Farm Owner Acquitted

The owner of the farm was also on trial but was acquitted. The court notes that the videos show him sometimes hitting or moving cows with a manure scraper. But, according to the court, the evidence is not sufficient to determine that the animals suffered the degree of harm required for the actions to be considered animal cruelty.

The court also points out that the lack of more detailed veterinary examinations of the animals means that evidence in several areas falls short of what is required in criminal cases. At the same time, the court notes that a behavior may be inappropriate or violate animal welfare rules even if it is not punishable as animal cruelty.

Teaser: He also pushed the manure scraper handle down an animal’s throat. Dismissed from previous job where animals died in painful circumstances.