Chennai Corporation will soon review the existing procedure for maintenance of impounded cattle by Blue Cross of India.
Following allegations pertaining to malnourishment, cruelty and death of cattle made by councillors on Friday, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said the civic body would study the existing condition in the shelters and take measures to adopt suitable changes in the system.
Councillor V. Vasu alleged that many cattle sent to Blue Cross shelters died due to malnourishment. “Six months ago, a cow owned by a resident in Koyambedu was taken to the shelter. The owner tried to retrieve the animal which was weak because of malnourishment. But they refused to hand over the animal to the owner. The animal died a few months ago. Mahi, another resident, lost his cow three months ago in a similar manner,” said Mr. Vasu, while stressing the need for protecting cattle owned by residents in the city.
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The number of stray cattle impounded by the Corporation this year has touched 900. The stray cattle menace is severe in areas such as Ambattur, Royapuram, Kodambakkam, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Perungudi and Alandur. At present, the civic body has nine vehicles that are used to impound cattle and take them to Pudupet and Perambur. Owners pay a fine of Rs. 1,550 per head for their release. Around 50 heads of cattle not claimed by owners have been handed over to the Blue Cross of India this year.
“Blue Cross does not have the right to return the cattle to anybody who claims ownership. The animals at the shelter require lot of medical assistance. Most cattle that die have plastic in the stomach. During post-mortem we remove 35 to 40 kg of plastic from each animal. I condemn the councillors who have made such allegations,” said Dawn Williams, general manager of Blue Cross of India.
The Chennai Corporation started handing over unclaimed cattle to the Blue Cross in 1996.
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