Cattle truck overturns killing two bulls, activists outraged

The animals were tied by the neck in violation of animal protection rules

A truck carrying 18 heads of cattle met with an accident near Maraimalai Nagar, on Thursday, killing two bulls.

The driver and three others accompanying the animals were injured in the accident. The animals were being transported from Andhra Pradesh to Kerala. They were later taken to Blue Cross Society of India in Velachery.

According to activists, the cattle, including buffaloes and bulls, was tied by the neck in violation of animal protection rules. Co-founder of People for Animals, Shiranee Pereira, said, during the previous AIADMK regime, the animal husbandry department had set up a committee to address the issue of transportation of cattle in a humane manner.

“As a rule, only six or eight animals must be transported by a truck. We had a meeting with the State Transporter’s Association based in Nagapattinam and the government warned the transporters that those caught trafficking cattle would be penalised. But nothing happened after that,” Ms. Pereira said.

The Temple Worshippers’ Society, which released a CD on cattle trafficking, on Sunday, is hoping to revive the traditional role played by temples to protect cows. Society president S.V. Badri said, for over a year they had been attempting to find out how many temples maintained endowments for animal protection.

The People for Animals appeals for revival of the dialogue that began in 2004-2005. “This will help prevent trafficking,” Ms. Pereira said.