Three teenagers may face a hefty fine if a court decides their festive firecrackers outside an eastern German farm scared the libido right out of an ostrich named Gustav.
Rico Gabel, a farmer in Lohsa, northeast of Dresden, is claiming euro4,900 (US$6,450) in damages for the alleged antics on Dec. 27-29, 2005, by the three youths, aged 17-18.
The farmer claims that fireworks set off by the boys made the previously lustful Gustav both apathetic and depressed, and thus unable to perform for half a year with his two female breeding partners, according to the lawsuit.
Before Gustav regained his sex drive in the second half of the year, the farmer estimates he lost out on 14 ostrich offspring — worth euro350 (US$460) apiece.
The suit is due to be heard next week in a regional court in nearby Bautzen, the court said Monday. The teenagers were not identified by name.