Stray cattle causing accidents and becoming victims of accidents have been increasing of late in Madurai.
One such incident took place recently in Thabal Thanthi (P and T) Nagar. A cow had fallen into a water channel in the area. Following an alert from three children who saw the cow inside the open channel, fire and rescue services personnel rescued the injured cow from the 7-feet-deep water channel.
Some residents, who live in the area nearby, said that the cow had remained inside the water channel for close to three days as no one had noticed it.
Fire and rescue services personnel who had rescued the cow from the channel, said that they have similarly rescued many cattle from water channels.
The open canal on Thabal Thanthi Road where the cow had fallen.
| Photo Credit:
MOORTHY G
The owners do not tie the cows in sheds but let them roam free knowing fully well that they would get injured if they strayed on the busy roads.
H. Sai Mayur, a rescuer who took note of the incident, said that a similar incident happened in Iyer Bungalow where the water channels are open and deep.
“Since many cattle owners raise cattle near their houses, due to lack of space and problem in feeding them, the cattle are let loose in the morning and tied when they return at night,” he said.
To avoid such repeated accidents and to prevent cattle from falling into the water channels, Madurai Corporation should either close the channels using lids or nets, he said.
The rescued cow, which was bleeding in its leg, could not be treated as it ran away from the location fearing the crowd, Mr. Mayur said.
In another incident near Mattuthavani, a 55-year-old man while returning home in the night, collided with a cow which was resting close to the barricade.
Since the streetlights went off following a power cut, the motorist failed to notice the cow in the dark. In the accident, both the cow and bike were dragged for about 50 metres.
L. Kaliyappan, who sustained injuries to his legs and shoulder during the accident said, he had never passed this particular stretch of Melur Road near the flower market without encountering a cow.
“Though I am usually careful while riding on the road, due to poor visibility as the cow was sitting on the ground, I could only apply the brakes at the last minute,” he said.
Not only the motorist was injured, but the cow also sustained injuries to its legs and stomach, he said.
A roadside flower seller opposite Mattuthavani flower market who had witnessed many such accidents, said some people who raised cattle in their houses release them in the fields and open spaces nearby to feed on the grass there.
“But, many of the cows after a few hours slowly move to the main road. Towards the evening, the cows which come to the main road sit there to rest,” the flower seller added.
Some owners take back their cows, but some leave them to roam around.
“Only a few vehicle users who know about the cattle movement slow down their vehicles, other speed through the way. At least three to four accidents take place in the same location in a week,” flower seller said.
Recently, a calf which was hit by a truck on the road died on the spot. “Since the corporation workers did not remove it, the carcass was on the roadside for a couple of days,” she added.
Advocate S. Sivasubramanian said that in order to avoid such accidents, reflective collars should be used on the stray animals. It will help vehicle users spot the animals and avoid hitting them. A Global Positioning System (GPS) tag could be used to track the stray animals, he added.
A common complaint has been that stray cattle are found loitering around on the roads and they rummage through the pile of garbage dumped on the roadside and scatter them all over the place.
Madurai Corporation officials said that efforts were on to tackle the stray cattle menace. Modalities are in place and the menace has largely reduced in the city in the recent times. Spot fines are being imposed on the owners and also higher fine amounts for repeat offences after impounding, they said.
S. Murugeswari, member of Animal Welfare Board of India, said that the onus is on the cattle owners. They have to take care of the cattle. They should accompany it and bring it back home, she said.
The cattle rest near the roadside and when they are hungry they rummage through the garbage. Dumpster bins should not be placed near turns and road junctions so as to avoid accidents, she said, adding that it has become an issue due to rapid urbanisation. Efforts from all concerned were required in order to tackle the issue, she said.
Published – February 02, 2025 07:21 pm IST