The case centers on Zenek, an ostrich kept at an agritourism farm in Bolechówko, a village near Poznań.
The attack took place in early 2025. The bird was beaten with a stick, kicked and dragged, and it later died despite efforts to save it.
On Monday, the court convicted the assailant, identified only as Łukasz Sz., of killing an animal with “particular cruelty” and imposed four years in prison for that count, along with a 15-year ban on owning any animals.
The judge also ordered him to pay PLN 5,000 (around EUR 1,200, USD 1,400) to an animal shelter in Poznań and PL 20,000 in compensation to the bird’s owner.
“The accused acted without any reason, with full contempt for the existing legal order, which shows significant demoralization,” Judge Robert Grześ said, adding that the cruelty involved “deserves particular condemnation” and a severe sentence.
Prosecutors had brought an indictment covering 21 offenses. The court also found the man guilty of drug-related crimes, property damage and making criminal threats, then handed down a combined sentence of seven years in prison.
In explaining the verdict, the court said public attention had focused on the ostrich’s death, but one of the key allegations in the case involved providing psychotropic substances and narcotic drugs to a minor.
The bird’s owner was represented by attorney Katarzyna Topczewska, who welcomed the ruling and called it appropriately tough.
She said she had not encountered a higher sentence in Poland for animal abuse and argued that the punishment should send a clear signal that such acts will be met with a strong response from the justice system.
The defendant did not appear in court on Monday. His lawyer, Maciej Relewicz, said an appeal was "most likely," Polish state news agency PAP reported.
(rt/gs)