Walldorf (dpa/lsw) - The state data protection officer Stefan Brink is examining the possible illegal disclosure of data on cat owners in Walldorf, where a nationwide curfew for the animals applies to protect rare birds. Brink's spokesman announced on Thursday in Stuttgart that it would be looked at whether the enforcement of a general decree by the Rhein-Neckar district in relation to cats also included the owners and what exactly happened to this data. Citizens should be able to assume that the implementation of the requirements is correct - especially when private service providers are involved. "Let's take a closer look at that now."
The district office has ordered that cats are not allowed to roam through the breeding area of the rare crested lark in the south of the city of Walldorf until 2025 from April to August - unless they are put on a short leash or verifiably do not move in areas where they can Danger for the endangered birds can become. In one case, the authority imposed a penalty payment of 500 euros for violations, as was announced on Monday.
According to the circle, the information about the affected cat and its owners came from a private company. According to the city, however, this has only been commissioned with monitoring the crested larks and recommending and implementing protective measures. The FDP member of parliament Christian Jung therefore questioned whether the district office had thus resorted to an unauthorized database and switched on the top data protection officer in the southwest.
Brink's spokesman said: "We are now getting an accurate picture of the situation." The district office and the city were contacted. "We will then also speak to the commissioned company."
