47 goats die of suffocation in bus luggage compartment

A total of 47 goats died of suffocation while being transported in the luggage compartment of a passenger bus from Lalmonirhat to Lakshmipur. A mobile court fined the bus supervisor and the goat trader Tk 10,000 for cruelty to animals.

The fine was imposed on Saturday afternoon by Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Kathoipru Mar Mar.

The fined individuals are Md Abul Hashem, bus supervisor of Anandya Paribahan, and trader Md Faruk from Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. The trader claimed the loss amounted to approximately Tk 10 lakh.

The goats were being transported on Friday, March 27, on a passenger bus from Lalmonirhat to Lakshmipur. Along with Faruk's 47 goats, eight goats belonging to another trader from Noakhali were also crammed into the compartment. The animals suffocated due to the long journey, intense heat and lack of adequate ventilation.

After the incident, police brought both parties before the upazila executive officer, who imposed the fine through a mobile court.

The goat trader said his father had purchased the goats from Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat and was sending them to Lakshmipur. He claimed he had been transporting goats this way for the past two years, paying Tk 300 per goat.

The bus supervisor said the goats appeared fine during the journey. However, when the eight goats for Noakhali were being unloaded at Chaorasta, all the animals were found dead.

The upazila livestock officer said the fine was imposed for cruelty to animals, and both parties were warned. The dead goats were ordered to be buried.