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27. 08. 10. - 15:00

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27. 08. 10. - 15:00

Puppy Flap

It is the ultimate symbol of the throw away society after bins for unwanted pets abandoned in the credit crunch were set up in Germany.

Owners who can no longer care for their pets can put them through a giant flap linked to a welfare centre without having to fill in forms - or be identified.

So far puppies, kittens and even hamsters have ended up in the box - that is emptied immediately by volunteers who get a text message every time a "deposit" is made.

The bins follow the country's tradition of 'baby hatches' where unwanted children are placed in special holes-in-the-wall at hospitals where they are taken for adoption.

"People are having a tough time financially and one of the first victims is usually the family pet.

"It is better they bring them to us than to simply abandon them or throw them in the river in a rock filled sack," said organiser Helga Rosmuther.

Austrian Times

Rising numbers of sheep and goats in Salzburg
The number of farms rearing sheep and goats has been on the increase in Salzburg, Austria for several years now. Domestic farming could still increase by a third as the European demand increases.

Strasser sues Austrian newspaper
The former European Parliament member Ernst Strasser will appear in court today (Mon) in connection with the 2011 cash for influence scandal. Strasser has accused the Upper Austrian News (OÖN) of slander.

Staud's expansion plan
Viennese jam company Staud’s who are famous for their preserve and compote range are expanding production in the capital. The plan calls for the building of a new company site in two years’ time in Ottakring. A new production hall will also be adapted at the current site in Hernals before then.

Le Salzgries
I enjoyed perhaps my most pleasurable eating out experience of the last thirty years one Thursday evening at Le Salzgries.

Record number of callouts as diesel freezes
The bitterly cold temperatures have not only been causing problems for humans in Austria but also for cars. In such harsh conditions, diesel in cars is known to crystallise and the engine cut out altogether.

Freezing temperatures claim life in Vienna
The freezing cold temperatures in Vienna, Austria claimed the life of an elderly woman over the weekend. The 86-year-old was found dead in her garden in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Baby taken over speeding fine
Austrian social workers have taken a baby away from his teenage mother because the toddler's grandmother had not paid a speeding fine.

Best of the winter bookshelf, part two
The Austrian Times offers an overview of what German-speaking Europe’s publishing houses have to offer.

ORF forced to leave Facebook
A media rights watchdog has ordered the ORF to exit Facebook.

Have mercy on gays, says Church rebel
The head of a group of "disobedient" parish priests has called for mercy on homosexuals.