The fallow deer (Dama dama) represents significant game management value globally, and human activities are significantly impacting the species. Besides the positive effects, these activities can threaten its existence, health, and value. The aim of the authors was to develop a tetranucleotide microsatellite panel that could be clearly interpreted and used for genetic testing of fallow deer. Such a panel did not exist until now and could be particularly useful in the field of conservation genetics and forensics. A total of 99 tetrameric microsatellites, originally designed for related deer species, were tested on 20 fallow deer individuals from five Hungarian sampling areas. Original and newly designed primers were used to amplify the microsatellite regions using previously published or optimized PCR protocols. The lengths and sequences of specific amplicons were detected using capillary electrophoresis, and the rate of polymorphism was determined. Altogether, 80 markers provided PCR products of adequate quality and quantity. Among them, 15 markers proved to be polymorphic (2–5 alleles/locus), and 14 tetrameric markers were selected for further analysis. Statistical calculations showed that the selected polymorphic microsatellites can potentially enable key individualization in many areas of wildlife and population genetics, thus protecting the species.

The criminal legislation regarding zoophilia and the legal status of animals were examined in 15 European countries. With regard to zoophilia, answers to the following questions were sought: are sexual acts performed with animals and the possession and distribution of animal pornography criminally punishable? Several aspects of the legal status of animals were examined including: (1) is the protection of individual animals included in the constitution, (2) do animals have a special status beyond mere objects, (3) can we find specific legislative provisions that explicitly state that animals are not simply things, and (4) does the legal system also take the “dignity” of animals into consideration. The assessment of zoophilia and the legal status of animals resulted in two country rankings, which the authors compared with each other. The correlation was not significant (p = 0.3147). At the same time, countries with differentiated criminal legislation for zoophilia were also 3.62 times more likely to rank higher in terms of the legal status of animals. The Swiss regulations are exceptional in both respects, while at the other end of the list, Italy does not have specific legislative provisions for either aspect.

Background: The intensification of pig production systems has been associated with increased antimicrobial use (AMU), which remains a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and a major concern for both veterinary and public health sectors. Monitoring and rationalizing antibiotic usage are crucial to prevent the selection of resistant bacterial strains that pose risks to both animal and public health. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the structure and magnitude of antibiotic use as well as related reduction strategies, in three large-scale Hungarian swine herds, based on farm data recorded between January 2022 and June 2024. Materials and Methods: Data were collected using a digital herd health monitoring system covering monthly animal health cases and antibiotic usage. Antibiotic use was evaluated by AMEG classification, active ingredient groups, route of administration (e.g. water, feed, injection), treatment type (therapeutic vs. metaphylactic) and age group (e.g. sows, weaners, fatteners). Quantitative indicators included total mass (mg) and mg/PCU values. Results and Discussion: Antibiotic use declined during the study period, particularly in weaned pigs by 87.6% (corrected mg/PCU: from 341.70 to 42.35). The most frequent clinical problems on the examined farms were enteric and respiratory disorders as well as arthritis. Drinking water medication remained dominant (93.8%), though individual treatments increased in frequency. In 2023, a major shift occurred toward targeted therapeutic use (83.7%) over metaphylaxis (16.3%). The increased proportion of AMEG C category antibiotics and reduced use of AMEG D category substances indicate changing prescribing patterns. Regular treatment logs, vaccination protocols, sensitivity testing and the use of organic acids and probiotics may contribute to a more prudent antibiotic approach. These results confirm the importance of diagnostics-driven treatment and farm-specific interventions in AMR mitigation.