Over 40 sheep dead after poisoning in central Turkey

Some 41 sheep have been found killed after being poisoned in the Karatay district of the Central Anatolian province of Konya, Doğan News Agency reported on Sept. 19. 

Some 15 of the 41 sheep were found by their owner Alaattin Gezer struggling for their lives following the apparent poisoning, after which he opted to slaughter them.

Investigating the surrounding area with the help of local residents, Gezer found poisoned food in the field and notified police. 

There are now concerns that even more sheep could die in the coming days.

A similar incident took place in the same area one year ago, leading to the death of 58 sheep. 

Local village head İsmail Kaya suggested that the mass poisoning of the animals were a result of rivalry between sheep owners in the area. 

"Fights have been erupting between sheep owners here. We stopped intruders coming into the fields and the spaces were opened to public use, but the owners of herds then started to fight," Kaya told Doğan News Agency, saying he "condemns those who poisoned the animals."

The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
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