The Kaunas District Supervision Department of the State Food and Veterinary Service’s Supervision Department received the conclusions of the inspection report of the sheep that drowned in the village of Pashiliai. They found that the sheep breeder did not ensure proper conditions and care for the animals, but it is not yet clear what fine will be imposed. The Klaipėda Veterinary Service specialists will continue the investigation. This whole story came to light during the flood this year animals started drowning when Nevēžius suddenly flooded the pastures.
The commission carried out an inspection
The commission that carried out the inspection found that the place for keeping sheep in the village of Pashiliai was not entered in the register of farm animals, and no information was provided that the sheep were temporarily kept at the mentioned place.
It was also established that the proper conditions for keeping sheep were not ensured – care, because the requirements for the welfare of farm animals were violated – three sheep died. The conclusion emphasizes that the situation regarding the remaining sheep is unclear, as not everything can be checked during the inspection.
“The keeper of the farm animals did not take all appropriate measures to ensure the welfare of the farm animals. The breeder did not ensure that no pain or suffering was caused to the animals.
It is emphasized that farm animals must be inspected at least once a day.
Also, animals kept outdoors, where necessary and possible, must be protected from adverse weather conditions, predators and other dangers that harm their health,” states the act of the State Food and Veterinary Service.
Klaipėda specialists will decide
The herd of sheep grazing in Pašiliai is registered in Klaipėda county. A farmer who raises sheep is a resident of Klaipėda County. The photos taken during the inspection and all collected material and conclusions were transferred from Kaunas to Klaipėda. It is the specialists of the food and veterinary service of this county who will carry out further actions. They will decide what penalty to apply to the farmer.
It was established that the proper conditions for keeping sheep were not ensured – care, because the requirements for the welfare of farm animals were violated – three sheep died. The conclusion emphasizes that the situation regarding the remaining sheep is unclear, as not everything can be checked during the inspection.
Auth. past
It came to the public during the flood
This whole story came to the public when animals started drowning during this year’s flood when Nevėžius unexpectedly flooded the pastures. Then the fire rescue service received a message that help was needed to save the drowning sheep. Due to the drowning sheep, even the district authorities were distracted.
When the firefighters and rescuers arrived at the scene, the water level of the Nevėžis River had risen sharply, the water had spilled over the banks and flooded the meadows where the sheep were grazing.
It was about 300 meters to the safe place for the sheep. In the initial stage of the rescue, a small lamb was rescued by a lifeboat and floated ashore. The owner herself tried to save the sheep.
After analyzing the flooded meadow, the route of the animals was determined and marked.
For the second time, two more sheep were taken by rescue boat. Six more sheep were brought ashore by the sheep owner’s rubber boat. The animals on the flooded island were very distracted and difficult to control.
A decision was made to ask for help from the Kaunas 5th team. After the arrival of additional forces, it was possible to transport the animals in larger quantities to a safe place.
Saved the vast majority
After more than half of the animals were moved from the water, the other sheep began to swim to the collection point on their own. The five sheep got scared and started to swim in other directions, they were already tired and started to drown. They were also washed ashore in various places. Later, all the animals were brought to one fenced place by rescue boats.
We managed to save 47 healthy sheep. 3 sheep were pulled out already dead. It was one of the most complicated animal rescue operations in Kėdainiai region.
