Over 50 goats died under mysterious circumstances in Vaniyambadi taluk in Vellore on Sunday.

According to police sources, Murugesan, 54, of Alangayam, took his 54 goats to graze in the woods near Nayakanur village. Later, as he was about to leave, he found the animals had died. He called other villagers for help, who said that it could have been due to contaminated water from the trough set up by the Forest department. They claimed that the water may have been poisoned by someone with animosity towards Murugesan.

The Kavalur police moved the carcasses to the Veterinary Hospital for autopsy. “The water samples were collected from the said trough. After receiving the results, appropriate action will be initiated against those involved,” said an investigating official.