North Macedonia Town Overrun by 1,000 Cows
Residents of Kriva Palanka face crop destruction and traffic hazards from a large, unmanaged cattle herd.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made

North Macedonia Town Overrun by 1,000 Cows
Photograph: The Independent (embedded from source)
What this story says
- A herd of over 1,000 cattle is causing significant damage in Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia.
- The cows are destroying crops, threatening the water supply, and creating traffic hazards.
- Mayor Sashko Mitovski has requested the government declare a 30-day state of emergency to resolve the issue.
- The problem has persisted for years due to what residents and the mayor describe as bureaucratic failures.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 35 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 10 of the 45 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
50/100
Craft
50/100
Hype
45/100
45 sources · methodology
Residents of Kriva Palanka, a town in northeastern North Macedonia, are contending with a herd of more than 1,000 roaming cattle. The animals descend from surrounding hills, primarily at night, to consume gardens and crops. This ongoing issue has led to property destruction and poses risks to the town's water supply and road safety, particularly on the route to Bulgaria.
The situation has persisted for years, with many residents and Mayor Sashko Mitovski attributing the lack of resolution to bureaucratic failures. Mitovski has asked the national government to declare a 30-day state of emergency to enable authorities to address the problem. He stated that institutions have lacked the willingness, commitment, capacity, or resources to solve the issue. The Food and Veterinary Agency had previously ordered the seizure of the herd from its three owners, but this order has not been enforced.
Disagreement on herd value
Washington Top News reported that the value of the herd is estimated at between 360,000 and 570,000 euros. None of the other reports provided a specific monetary value for the herd.
What the coverage left out
None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated digests mention the specific value range of the herd (360,000 to 570,000 euros) that was reported by Washington Top News.
Still developing. We have re-checked which outlets are covering this 4 times, most recently on 14 Nov 2026, 02:45, and will add the sides that appear.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
13 rated outlets
- Left-rated reports focused on the scale of the problem, with multiple outlets highlighting the herd size of over 1,000 cows. They also emphasised the destruction caused by the animals, including damage to crops, threats to the water supply, and traffic hazards. The bureaucratic failures preventing a resolution were also a common theme, with reports noting the mayor's request for a state of emergency and the perceived inaction of institutions. Some reports included details about individual residents' experiences, such as a pensioner whose trees were destroyed.
Centre
15 rated outlets
- The centre-rated outlets reported that over 1,000 cows were roaming freely in Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia. These animals were destroying crops and gardens, and posed risks to the town's water supply and road safety. The problem had persisted for years.
- Reports indicated that residents and Mayor Sashko Mitovski blamed bureaucratic failures for the ongoing issue. Mitovski requested the government declare a 30-day state of emergency to address the problem.
- Washington Top News, the only full report, quoted residents who described damage to orchards and gardens. It also noted the mayor's comments on the Food and Veterinary Agency's failure to enforce a seizure order for the herd.
Right
7 rated outlets
- Right-rated reports focused on the immediate problems caused by the roaming cattle, including crop destruction, threats to the water supply, and traffic hazards. They also noted the large number of cows involved. The mayor's request for a state of emergency was mentioned as a response to the escalating situation. The issue of bureaucratic failures was also present in these reports.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover North Macedonia Town Overrun by 1,000 Cows?
- Of the 35 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 37% are rated left, 43% are rated centre, 20% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 45. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is North Macedonia Town Overrun by 1,000 Cows left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 35 rated outlets on this story, 37% are rated left, 43% are rated centre, 20% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of North Macedonia Town Overrun by 1,000 Cows biased?
- North Macedonia Town Overrun by 1,000 Cows is one event reported by 45 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which outlets covered North Macedonia Town Overrun by 1,000 Cows?
- 45 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What is happening in Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia?
- Kriva Palanka is experiencing a significant problem with a herd of over 1,000 roaming cattle. These animals are destroying crops, threatening the local water supply, and creating traffic hazards on roads, including the one leading to Bulgaria.
- Why has the problem with the cows persisted for years?
- According to residents and Mayor Sashko Mitovski, the issue has persisted due to bureaucratic failures. They state that responsible institutions have lacked the necessary willingness, commitment, capacity, or resources to enforce orders and resolve the problem effectively.
- What action has the mayor requested?
- Mayor Sashko Mitovski has asked the national government to declare a 30-day state of emergency in the municipality. This would provide authorities with the necessary funds and resources to address and permanently resolve the problem of the roaming cattle.
Read it at the source
45 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
13- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens The Toronto Star in a new tab)
The Toronto Star — is The Toronto Star biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town (opens The Seattle Times in a new tab)
The Seattle Times — is The Seattle Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Beloit Daily News in a new tab)
Beloit Daily News — is Beloit Daily News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Richmond Register in a new tab)
Richmond Register — is Richmond Register biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens The Independent (US) in a new tab)
The Independent (US) — is The Independent (US) biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Associated Press News in a new tab)
Associated Press News — is Associated Press News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens The Independent in a new tab)
The Independent — is The Independent biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens ABC News in a new tab)
Show 5 more
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Terre Haute Tribune-Star in a new tab)
Terre Haute Tribune-Star — is Terre Haute Tribune-Star biased? Our profile of this outlet
- 1,000 Cows Walk Freely Through a City in Northern Macedonia. The Mayor Asks for a Declaration of the State of Crisis: "It Causes Serious Damage. (opens antena3.ro in a new tab)
antena3.ro — is antena3.ro biased? Our profile of this outlet
- VIDEO More than 1,000 Cows Roam the City in North Macedonia. They Are Looking for a State of Crisis (opens IndexHR in a new tab)
- North Macedonia: Kriva Palanka seeks help over 1,000 free-roaming cows (opens Africa News in a new tab)
Africa News — is Africa News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Durango Herald in a new tab)
Durango Herald — is Durango Herald biased? Our profile of this outlet
Centre
15- The Cow Crisis: a Thousand Animals Cause Chaos in a North Macedonian Village (opens ElNacional.cat in a new tab)
ElNacional.cat — is ElNacional.cat biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens My Mother Lode in a new tab)
My Mother Lode — is My Mother Lode biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens WCCB Charlotte in a new tab)
WCCB Charlotte — is WCCB Charlotte biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens The Record in a new tab)
The Record — is The Record biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers – WTOP News (opens Washington Top News in a new tab)
Washington Top News — is Washington Top News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Newsday in a new tab)
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Lancaster Farming in a new tab)
Lancaster Farming — is Lancaster Farming biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Hometown News LP in a new tab)
Hometown News LP — is Hometown News LP biased? Our profile of this outlet
Show 7 more
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Weatherford Democrat in a new tab)
Weatherford Democrat — is Weatherford Democrat biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Idaho Press in a new tab)
Idaho Press — is Idaho Press biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens ABC FOX Montana in a new tab)
ABC FOX Montana — is ABC FOX Montana biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens The Herald Journal in a new tab)
The Herald Journal — is The Herald Journal biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Cecil Daily in a new tab)
Cecil Daily — is Cecil Daily biased? Our profile of this outlet
- North Macedonia: Kriva Palanka seeks help over 1,000 free-roaming cows (opens Euronews in a new tab)
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Winnipeg Free Press in a new tab)
Winnipeg Free Press — is Winnipeg Free Press biased? Our profile of this outlet
Right
7- In Northern Macedonia, the City Suffers From an Infestation of Cows (opens Korrespondent.net in a new tab)
Korrespondent.net — is Korrespondent.net biased? Our profile of this outlet
- A Mayor Calls for a State of Crisis over the Invasion of More than a Thousand Cows (opens La Razón in a new tab)
- A Macedonian People Asks to Declare a State of Crisis After Being Invaded by More than a Thousand Cows Out of Control (opens EL ESPAÑOL in a new tab)
EL ESPAÑOL — is EL ESPAÑOL biased? Our profile of this outlet
- North Macedonian Mayor Calls For Crackdown On Free-Roaming Cattle (opens tippinsights in a new tab)
tippinsights — is tippinsights biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Jonesboro Sun in a new tab)
Jonesboro Sun — is Jonesboro Sun biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Cows in Parks, Roads and Between Houses: North Macedonian City Calls for a State of Crisis to Stop the Invasion (opens Sapo in a new tab)
- Hundreds of roaming cows wreak havoc in North Macedonian town, frustrating farmers (opens Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer in a new tab)
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer — is Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer biased? Our profile of this outlet
Not rated
10- Hundreds of Roaming Cows Wreak Havoc in North Macedonian Town, Frustrating Farmers (opens morningagclips.com in a new tab)
morningagclips.com — is morningagclips.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- More than 1,000 Cows on the Streets of a Macedonian City: A State of Emergency Is Being Called For (opens Avaz.ba in a new tab)
- More than 1,000 Cows Flood the City and Cause Chaos: Mayor Calls for Immediate Declaration of a State of Emergency (opens vecernji.ba in a new tab)
vecernji.ba — is vecernji.ba biased? Our profile of this outlet
- A Norman People Calls for a State of Crisis over the Invasion of More than a Thousand Cows (opens RPP in a new tab)
- More than 1,000 Cows on the Streets of a Macedonian City. Mayor Demands a Declaration of a State of Emergency (opens Dnevnik in a new tab)
- Mayor of a City in North Macedonia Asks to Declare a State of Crisis Due to an Influx of Cows (opens Європейська правда in a new tab)
Європейська правда
- North Macedonia, a City Besieged by a Thousand Cows: the State of Crisis Called For (opens L'INDIPENDENTE in a new tab)
L'INDIPENDENTE — is L'INDIPENDENTE biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Inflammation of Chicks Led the City in Northern Macedonia to the C.S. Regime. (opens Life.ru in a new tab)
Show 2 more
- Video: Mayor of North Macedonian town raises alarm over free-roaming cows causing severe disruption (opens LiveTube in a new tab)
- Mayor of North Macedonian town raises alarm over free-roaming cows causing severe disruption (opens Social News XYZ in a new tab)
Social News XYZ — is Social News XYZ biased? Our profile of this outlet
How did this read?
About the coverage, not about the story. We do not ask whether you agree with what happened — we have no honest use for that answer.
![Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Friday [Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/reuters_6af72f8f-1794584463.jpg?resize=1920%2C1440)
