PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Sept 2, CMC – Authorities say they have euthanized animals that had been found on a pirogue after the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard intercepted it with six people, including five Venezuelan nationals on board.
A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries said the pirogue was intercepted last Saturday off the coast of Chaguaramas, west of here, with one Trinidadian national and five Venezuelan nationals, in addition to 16 animals.
”Once the vessel was docked at Coast Guard facilities in Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, all animals aboard were removed and humanely euthanized. These included 13 sheep, two dogs and one chicken.
”Decontamination and disposal of the euthanized animals was completed by Sanitec Limited, which included transportation of the carcasses, incineration and disinfection of the premises,” the ministry said in a statement.
It said that it will continue “to ensure the health and safety of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and the safety of the country’s Agricultural industry,” without indicating whether the seven people on board had been charged.
CMC/ad/ir/2024