Pieria: Livestock farmer takes his own life after 1,000 animals culled due to sheep pox
The local community in Pieria has been left in shock following the tragic death of a livestock farmer who was found hanged inside his home in the village of Vrontou. According to reports, the man had recently lost his entire flock—approximately 1,000 sheep—after authorities ordered their culling due to an outbreak of sheep and goat pox.
The tragedy was made public through a Facebook post by Nikos Tsertikidis, President of the Beekeepers’ Association of Pieria.
Local media report that the 50-year-old farmer was unable to cope with the total loss of his family’s livelihood. The flock, which had been built and maintained over many years, was run jointly with his brother and father and represented the core of their family business.
According to initial information, the man was discovered by relatives. Those close to the case believe that the decisive factor leading to his death was the compulsory slaughter of his animals, carried out as part of disease-control measures aimed at containing the spread of sheep pox.
The incident has reignited concerns among agricultural communities about the severe psychological and economic impact of mass livestock cullings, particularly when compensation procedures are slow or uncertain.
