26 cattle die, 12 critical after rescue operation

Chandrapur: Twenty-six cattle were reported dead while 12 were critical at Ujjwal Gaurakshan Sanstha, at Lohara, 8km from the city. According to Himmatbhai Shah, secretary of the Sanstha, the cattle were part of the herd of 123 that was rescued by Virur police on Friday.
“Of them, 23 animals were recovered dead from the mini-trucks in which police brought them to the cow shelter on Saturday morning while three died on Sunday,” claimed Shah.

Shah added that none of the deceased cattle belongs to their cow shelter. “The cattle, mostly bullocks, were packed in mini-trucks when they were rescued. Virur police sought our help to take care of rescued cattle and the management agreed,” he said.

The cattle were being smuggled to Telangana in seven mini-trucks when Virur police intercepted the vehicles. Shah informed that a mini-truck barely has space for three cattle, still 123 cattle were stuffed in seven mini-trucks. “Instead of easing their plight, Virur police sent the animals in the same vehicles to us. Many of the animals were in a bad condition and the cow shelter offered immediate medical aid,” he said.

“Three more cattle died on Sunday and over a dozen are in a critical condition and may die soon,” said Shah.

“Vets from the livestock development department carried out post mortem after which the carcasses were dumped outside the village with the help of municipal vehicles,” he said.

As villagers complained about the stench emanating from the decaying carcasses, the cow shelter management summoned a JCB machine to dig a common grave and bury the carcasses.

TOI made several attempts to contact the Virur police station incharge but to no avail.