“It’s like watching our children being killed one by one,” said Konstantinos Theologou as he described the pain of seeing his flock destroyed due to sheep pox. His family had cared for the newborn lambs as if they were members of the family

A new and tragic dimension has been added to the story of Konstantinos Theologou, the livestock farmer from Mikró Monastíri, Thessaloniki, who appeared in a video tearfully saying goodbye to his last 450 sheep of the historic Roumlouki breed, which were scheduled to be culled because of an outbreak of sheep pox.

The emotional burden of the past few days proved too heavy for him. He collapsed and was taken to Giannitsa Hospital, where he is now being treated with symptoms consistent with a stroke.

His daughter confirmed the information to protothema.gr, explaining that her father’s condition worsened after the authorities’ decision to proceed with the compulsory culling of the flock — the last purebred Roumlouki sheep remaining in the area.

“The LAST Roumlouki sheep one day before they disappear”

In the original report, the farmer was shown with tears in his eyes as he said goodbye to the animals he had raised for decades. The order to cull all 450 sheep was issued by veterinary authorities after a confirmed case of sheep pox — a measure that effectively marks the extinction of the historic Roumlouki breed.

“It’s like they are killing our children one by one in front of us,” Theologou said, describing his anguish. His family had said that their children grew up alongside the flock, bottle-feeding the newborn lambs and treating them as members of the family.

According to relatives, the intense emotional pressure — combined with the loss of a lifetime’s work and legacy — took a serious toll on his health. With the destruction of the final purebred flock, the region also loses a significant part of its livestock heritage and cultural tradition.

The farmer’s condition remains under close medical supervision, and the family is asking for privacy and respect during this difficult time.