Sheep have to be put down at two farms in the rural Fljótsdalshérað region in east Iceland because they have been neglected and deprived of food for an extended period of time. Their condition was such that they wouldn’t have survived.

Archive photo by Páll Stefánsson.

Upon their visitation earlier this month, livestock inspection authorities reported the farms to the district veterinarian, who examined the sheep. One week ago 30 of the 500 sheep at one of the farms had to be put down, ruv.is reports.

A caretaker was appointed to oversee the livestock, which was given time to recover before a decision was made on whether more sheep had to be put down.

Today it was determined that 30 other sheep at the same farm must be put down. The situation at the other farm, where there are fewer sheep but their condition is believed to be even worse, will also be inspected.

ESA