LAHORE: Lahore police have arrested two suspects in a shocking case that involved the poisoning of goats and the sale of dead goats’ meat to the butchers in the Green Town area in the city.
Officials said residents had reported mysterious illnesses and sudden deaths of goats for several months, which raised serious concerns in the community. Many owners discarded dying or dead animals at nearby garbage dumps. However, the bodies of the dead goats later disappeared, deepening suspicion among locals.
Investigators finally uncovered the crime after reviewing CCTV footage that showed a sanitation worker mixing poisonous substances into the animals’ fodder during nighttime. The poisoned goats later died, after which the suspects collected their bodies from landfill sites and sold them to the butchers.
Residents caught one suspect, identified as Shahid, while he was attempting to collect a dead goat and handed him over to the police after beating him. During interrogation, Shahid confessed that he and his accomplice Rashid had carried out the illegal activity for months.
Meat sold to butchers and hotels sparks health concerns
Police revealed that the suspects sold each dead goat to a butcher for around Rs2,000. The butcher then distributed the meat to hotels and customers across the city at cheap rates, creating serious public health risks. DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran confirmed during a television interview that authorities received multiple complaints through the emergency helpline regarding poisoned goats and suspicious individuals roaming the neighbourhood.
He said officers used human intelligence and witness statements to trace the suspects, noting that residents repeatedly spotted the accused near locations where goats died. As the investigation progressed, police registered at least eight cases against the suspects and secured their physical remand for further questioning.
Authorities have also informed the Punjab Food Authority to initiate action against hotels and outlets allegedly involved in selling contaminated meat.
Residents claimed that 30 to 40 goats died over recent months and demanded strict punishment. Police further disclosed that Shahid is a habitual offender who faced arrest in a similar case in April 2025 but later resumed illegal activities after securing bail.
Meanwhile, the butcher involved in this inhuman and shocking case has escaped. Lahore police have started probe to arrest the accused.
