Blowfly strike — where blowfly larvae feed on living sheep tissue — causes extreme suffering and death without timely treatment, yet prevention through monitoring, treatment, and breeding remains inconsistent across global sheep farming.
Blowfly strike causes one of the most severe forms of suffering documented in farmed sheep. Larvae feeding on living tissue create expanding wounds that cause progressive pain over days without treatment. Animals with strike that are found late often have extensive damage requiring euthanasia. The suffering is preventable through regular monitoring and protective treatment, making strike welfare directly proportional to the quality of farm husbandry and inspection frequency.