Mangaluru: 7 cattle die under suspicious circumstances within 10 days, complaint filed

Mangaluru: Seven cattle belonging to a dairy farmer have died under suspicious circumstances over the last ten days.

The cattle belonged to Joseph Stany Prakash, a long-time dairy farmer residing near Kelarai Church in Neermarga, Mangaluru. According to him, the sudden deaths include milch cows, heifers, calves, and both large and medium-sized bulls. He suspects poisoning as the possible cause.

According to the complaint, the first death occurred on June 12. Following this, a team of veterinary doctors collected blood samples for lab testing on June 13. Of the seven dead, six cattle died in the cowshed, while one died on a nearby hill where it was sent for grazing. Another animal is currently in critical condition.

Prakash said he has been engaged in dairy farming for nearly 50 years and owns more than 30 cattle. “We regularly take our cattle for grazing towards the Neermarga–Kelarai side. This is the first time such an incident has happened. The cattle returned from grazing and then, one by one, started collapsing and dying. Some were found with swollen necks,” he added, suggesting the animals might have been poisoned while grazing.

Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department stated that the exact cause of death will be known only after the lab reports are received.

A complaint in connection with the incident has been lodged at the Mangaluru Rural Police Station.