In recent days, yet another attack on a flock in a farm in the province of Grosseto, and as always before the same scene: slaughtered sheep, frightened and unproductive animals, economic damage and months of work destroyed. “The entire Tuscan pastoralism is at risk - added Brunelli-; farms must be protected and entrepreneurs must be compensated; in the future we will no longer have Tuscan pecorino if this situation continues ”. And guardian dogs are of little use, as testified by Massimiliano Ottaviani, breeder (and president of the sheep sector), which despite having 13 dogs, has suffered 3 attacks with the loss of over 30 animals, in the last few months alone.
“Today only the sheep that are always locked up are saved - emphasizes Ottaviani - because despite my 13 dogs, the number of predators is out of control and these are increasingly daring and violent. Guardian dogs take a lot of effort to groom, and they come at a high cost, they go fed and kept in good health and each of them costs between 700 and 1.200 euros for maintenance. Costs that weigh on the poor budget of companies. Today we estimate that raising the flock has an increased cost of 40-50 euros per person per year, compared to the recent past, among the protections, the dogs, the lack of income caused by the limited grazing and for the investments necessary to increase the area intended for sheep shelter. We are exhausted, many companies close and shepherds give up - Ottaviani concludes - with damage, it is important to remember, which will affect not only the farmers but also the whole territory and the local economy ".
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