According to local Andorran lore, dating back several centuries, shepherds moving their flocks across mountain bridges were once required to count each sheep aloud in the presence of a local official. This peculiar ritual reportedly served as a form of taxation or toll collection, ensuring that all sheep were accounted for and taxed accordingly as they entered different parishes. While the exact origins and enforcement of this rule remain unclear, it reflects Andorra’s historical blend of pastoral traditions and community regulations. The counting of sheep, though seemingly a straightforward task, had to be done with strict accuracy to avoid disputes or penalties. Interestingly, this practice, if it truly existed, underscored the importance of livestock to Andorra's economy and the layered bureaucratic system managing animal movement in a mountainous territory. Though there is no official legal text currently confirming this rule, it continues to be a charming example cited in discussions of unusual historical regulations tied to animals in Andorra.
Source / verification note
Based on regional historical anecdotes and local oral traditions documented by cultural historians.