A judge in Bautzen recently ruled against the ostrich's owner, who sued the boys for about $6,700, claiming the firecrackers they set off left the bird unable to perform its breeding duties, Deutsche Welle reported Tuesday.
German ostrich breeder Rico Gabel went to court in March, contending the loud noises left his stud ostrich, Gustav, depressed, apathetic and impotent for about six months. He said he was owed damages for 14 ostrich chickens he says Gustav otherwise would have sired.
But the court sided with the youths after a bird expert testified there was no reason to tie the loud noises with Gustav's lethargy. The teens were, however, ordered to pay about $200 in veterinary fees.
And, the German newspaper reported, Gustav is back to his frisky self.

