Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has been accused of allowing horses he owns to engage in “unnatural sexual acts” by animal rights organisation PETA.
Muller and his wife, Lisa Trede, run a horse farm in Germany which they use in part to sell horse semen. Trede has an equestrian background and competes in events as well as training the animals, but PETA have now questioned the couple’s practices after one of the horses in their care suffered an injury.
“Unfortunately, we have bad news,” Muller said in a statement last week. “Our [horse] D’Avie will not be available in the next few months. Unfortunately, he slipped during a test attempt to prepare for breeding season and fell dramatically on his side. He sustained an injury to the hoof area and will need complete rest for the next few months. He’s a tough guy, and he could have been worse.”
In response, a PETA spokesperson, Jana Hoger, lambasted Muller and Trede, claiming the horse’s injuries were “preventable.”
“It is horrible that self-proclaimed horse lovers force animals in their care to perform unnatural sexual acts to profit from it,” she said. “The injuries D’Avie suffered under the supervision of Lisa and Thomas Müller were preventable and unnecessary.”
The news follows West Ham United’s Kurt Zouma coming under widespread scrutiny for animal cruelty, after video footage of him repeatedly kicking his cat in front of his child emerged online. The France international was reportedly fined £250,000 by his club, however, he was still included in West Ham’s next two matchday squads.
The RSPCA is conducting an investigation into Zouma’s treatment of his two cats, which the organisation has since removed from the former Chelsea defender’s home and taken into its care. A public petition for Zouma to face criminal prosecution for his actions has reached over 334,000 signatures online.
Muller has made 612 appearances for Bayern since debuting with the first team 13 years ago, scoring 224 goals, and won the World Cup with Germany in 2014.
