Ferme Nos Pilifs goats die after being fed by visitors

Two goats at Ferme Nos Pilifs in northern Brussels have died after visitors ignored warnings not to feed the animals.

The farm, in Neder-Over-Heembeek, has signs placed next to every enclosure reminding of the feeding ban, but staff say visitors continue to bring food that is not suitable.

Farm director Benoît Ceysens said: "Coline and Thelma died from overfeeding - and being fed no matter what."

He said all the animals at the farm were fed by workers at fixed times, based on a diet adapted to their needs.

Goats enjoy a diet of grass, leaves, hay and occasional cereals - but visitors were often feeding them bread, fruit and junk food, which can be fatal.

Ferme Nos Pilifs vet Hugues Dieu said: "Herbivores cannot cope with a sudden change in food intake. A goat, a horse or a cow does not eat the kind of food that visitors bring, which changes their diet and puts them in danger."

The farm had three goats. Only one now remains.