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Residents of the village of Litky near Kiev in Ukraine have noticed mass deaths of horses and cows from snake bites. Until now, vipers weren't seen in this area. Villagers claim that the snakes were thrown on the pasture from a helicopter. However, a local veterinarian, Dmitry Panchenko, calls this mere legend.

All the corpses of the fallen animals were examined by a veterinary commission of Brovary. However, in the laboratory, it wasn't possible to determine the nature of the poison that killed the animals. Cattle was tested only for anthrax and salmonellosis.

Anti snake venom serum that could save the animals also wasn't found in the area. Veterinarians say it is no longer available in Ukraine.

The vet advised that the cattle be grazed in strictly limited areas only, but the villagers, although afraid of snakes, still drive the cows to pasture.

Read more (in Russian) here.