Concern when a breeder from Romain-sur-Meuse received a phone call this Sunday, November 24 in the morning, to warn him that sheep belonging to him were wandering. Anxiety mounts when he discovers that the enclosure where 60 sufolk sheep usually graze is deserted. The fences are on the ground, and after a few steps, he discovers the corpse of five sheep with deep throat wounds. Five others have multiple wounds on their bodies and the rest of the herd is scattered. Some animals will be found on the outskirts of neighboring villages.
Shocked, Jérôme Klein, a farmer in Romain-sur-Meuse, informed the services of the French Biodiversity Office who came to observe the facts in the afternoon and identify clues and evidence which will make it possible to identify the perpetrator of the animal attack. A veterinarian was also on site to treat and assess the condition of the injured animals. Five had to be euthanized and five others are under surveillance. After the climatic hazards of this year and bluetongue, this is an additional disaster which has affected a breeding enthusiast, sweeping away years of selection work.
The reintroduction of species making it difficult to coexist with herds in our regions arouses incomprehension and anger. For this breeder, “we must stop thinking and making people believe that compensation compensates for the economic losses caused”.
The consequences of this attack deserve to be followed closely. After a night of terror and stress for pregnant ewes, the health future is very compromised, births will not be successful and the peace of mind of the animals will be disturbed for a long time.
From our correspondent Gisèle Ladier
