Shepherd Halts Grazing in Bad Oeynhausen After 13 Sheep Die from Trash and Vandalism

In Bad Oeynhausen, Germany, 13 sheep died after being exposed to illegal feeding, litter and vandalism on the Werre floodplain. Shepherd Bernhard Kleine responded by suspending the extensive grazing program that the city uses to keep the vegetation low and protect the soil. The deaths were linked to residents discarding plastic waste, feeding the animals unsuitable food and allowing dogs to roam the meadow. Kleine said the damage forced a temporary halt to sheep grazing and the introduction of more robust animals, such as goats, to continue the land‑management work.

The incident highlights challenges in balancing community use of public green spaces with agricultural practices intended for environmental protection.