Fishing cat beaten to death

Thursday, January 28, 2010

A fishing cat that fled from Rajshahi Central Zoo a week ago due to negligence of the authority was beaten to death at Haragram Sheikhpara area in the city yesterday.

Fazlul Haque Bhulu of the area, his son Hikmat along with their dog chased the cat after he saw it near his house after Fazr prayers.

Minutes later, the dog grabbed the cat's neck while Bhulu, Hikmat and other villagers beat it to death, said witnesses.

The villagers declined to return the cat's carcass to the zoo authority.

The cat managed its way out through a hole in the wired cage at the zoo last Wednesday, said Abul Kalam Azad, caretaker of the zoo. "We did not notice the hole beforehand," he said.

On taking any legal action, Forhad Uddin, veterinary surgeon of the zoo, told The Daily Star they could not say anything until they got the cat's body. "In fact, the forest department is responsible for this."

Afzal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Rajpara police station, said he heard the news but could not manage time to visit the scene. No other policemen were sent there.

Contacted, Rabiul Islam, Rajshahi divisional forest officer, said killing wild animals is prohibited and a punishable offence under the law of the land. He said the zoo authority, not the forest department, should take legal action, as the cat was the property of the zoo.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=123843