A 19-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for sexually assaulting five goats and a lamb at an animal sanctuary in southern France, with one goat dying from its injuries. The crimes occurred between February and April 2026 at Le Refuge d'un Moment in Pennes-Mirabeau, near Marseille.
Details of the Abuse
The perpetrator, identified only as Massoud S, was convicted of sexual assault and serious abuse. The animals suffered horrific injuries, including being tied by their legs, gagged, and left with bleeding vulvas. Staff first noticed rope marks and blood in February, prompting the installation of CCTV. Footage captured a man's silhouette multiple times, leading to police involvement.
Arrest and Trial
Police caught Massoud S in the act behind a goat, wearing latex gloves with his pants down. Despite DNA evidence and being caught red-handed, he denied all charges, telling the court, "I'm a normal person." The trial at Aix-en-Provence courthouse lasted only an hour before the jury reached a verdict. He received a 30-month jail sentence, a ban from French territory, and registration in the national file of sexual and violent offenders.
Financial Impact on Sanctuary
Sanctuary owner Cassandra Sortino revealed the financial toll, posting a veterinary bill for €1,800 (£1,550). A fundraising campaign was launched to cover legal fees, expert assessments, and animal care. As of June 2026, over €1,600 (£1,379) had been raised with no target listed. Sortino described the acts as "barbaric" and "unspeakable cruelty."
In a statement on the fundraising page, she wrote: "Today we are launching this fundraiser to support the steps related to legal proceedings concerning serious acts of animal abuse. This situation involves extremely shocking and unacceptable facts, which require legal support, expert assessments, and significant costs to ensure that justice is served and that such acts do not go unpunished."
