A year of prison suspended for two years – such a sentence was heard on Monday before a court in Zawiercie Kamil Stanek, a former owner of Puma Nubia. The man was accused, among others for bullying this animal and refusal to give it to the zoo. The man disagrees with the allegations, claiming that he treated a nube as a family member and that he had acquired Puma legally.
The District Court in Zawiercie sentenced Kamila Stanek on Monday (he agreed to give his surname – ed.), The owner of Puma Nubia, for a year imprisonment suspended for two years.
The verdict was to be made a few weeks ago, but before its announcement the court decided to resume the court cord to supplement the last witness – this took place at Wednesday's hearing, after which the court listened to the final speeches again.
Allegations of abuse of puma
Stanek, veteran with Afghanistanhe bought puma years ago in Czech Republicthe animal kept at home, Nubia also used the aviary and catwalk. Sometimes he presented her at various shows – at festivals, in prisons or hospitals.
In February 2020, the court obliged him to give the animal to the Poznań zoo. In July 2020, when representatives of the zoo in the company of friendly journalists came to the property of Stanek in Zładzeniec near Ogrodzieniec to pick up a nubia, Stanek took her on a leash from the cage, got into the car with her and fled to the forest. The search, in which about 200 policemen, a drone and helicopter participated, failed. Then contact with the man was established and mediation began, ending with the transfer of the animal to the Chorzów zoo and the report wanted to the police.
Puma Nubia in the Silesian Zoological GardenTvn24
The prosecutor's office presented the man with allegations regarding the abuse of puma by keeping her in the wrong conditions, presenting Nubia at various events to earn, abandoning the animal's release despite the decision on her forfeiture and exposure to the danger of zoo employees who came to pick up the animal.
Representative of the Viva Foundation Anna Plaszczyk, who as an auxiliary prosecutor also demanded to be guilty of the guilty, argued that the accused did not intend to give Puma contrary to the court's decision, so he hid in the forest. He had already shown a disrespectful attitude towards the law and decisions of the courts – she said.
The activist argued that the concept of animal abuse is not only causing diseases or the task of wounds, but also the lack of adequate living conditions. She reminded that Stanek, in order to have puma, registered circus activities years ago and only after the matter of Nubia became loud, the regulations changed and the legal gate closed.
Stanka's defender: Nubia was like a family member
Defender Stanek Paweł Matyja requested that he acquit him from all allegations. He compared the activities of organizations dealing with animal rights in this matter to “witch hunt”.
– All pro -animal organizations focused on the fight with man, not the good of the animal – he assessed and added that law enforcement agencies were caught up in this game. The lawyer emphasized in the final speech that Stanek took care of Nubia for several years, treated her as a family member, between him and the animal a special bond formed and there is no question of abusing her. He also argued that Stanek bought Puma legally in the Czech Republic, he was not a pseudo -breeder and provided her with good living conditions. The state of Nubia, after handing it over to the Chorzów zoo, did not arouse – as he emphasized – reservations.
In the opinion of the defense, the action of taking over Puma by the employees of the Poznań zoo was chaotic and unprepared, which is why the situation happened in this way. However, one cannot say that Stanek during her exposure someone in danger. MEC. Matyja also does not agree that his client did not want to give the animal. After the court's decision, there was no correspondence and information as to the date when and how to do it – he argued and expressed the opinion that representatives of the Poznań zoo, on his own initiative, coming to collect the animal exceeded their competences. Stanek himself also does not agree with the allegations. He repeatedly argued that he took care of Nubia and had it legally.
In May 2022, the Zawiercie court found Stanek guilty. In the order, without the participation of the parties, he imposed a penalty of social pac and forbidden animals. Defense made an objection to that ruling, which meant the need to carry out a normal trial.
To date, Nubia lives in the Chorzów zoo. Stanek worked there for some time as a volunteer to have frequent contact with her.
Source of the main photo: Tvn24