Russian regional official responsible for controversial livestock culls reportedly found dead

The head of the anti-epizootic and quarantine department at the regional Veterinary Authority in Russia’s Novosibirsk region has been found dead, according to local media reports and the official’s wife.

According to the Telegram channel Siberian Express, Sergey Tur’s body was found in his own vehicle with a gunshot wound. Investigators are treating suicide as one possible cause of death.

Tur’s department was responsible for the culling of livestock from residents in several districts where authorities claimed outbreaks of pasteurellosis had occurred. The seizures began in February, with regional authorities citing outbreaks of both rabies and pasteurellosis as justification. The seizures became a national news story after they sparked protests among farmers in several villages who said they were not adequately compensated for the lost livestock and were initially given no explanation or documentation.

Experts have noted that pasteurellosis is treatable with antibiotics and does not require culling, leading to speculation that the actual disease in question could be a more dangerous infection such as foot-and-mouth disease.

Contrary to the reports of a gunshot wound, Tur’s wife Elena said her husband had died of a heart attack. She noted he had taken sick leave shortly before his death.

“This is connected to his work — directly connected,” she told the local news outlet NGS. “The moral and physical strain was enormous, as was the responsibility. He went on sick leave and then this happened. Yesterday both investigators and a local police officer came by.”