Mystery deaths of cattle, case registered against farmer

Villagers said the cows consumed a bundle of hay, which they alleged was mixed with poison.

Cattle owners, who were nearby, noticed a pregnant cow suddenly swooning in an agricultural field. Much to their shock, six other cows collapsed one after the other and died on the spot.

Cattle owners suspect the cows could have been poisoned by V Natarajan, a villager. They claimed that he stuffed a poison-mixed fodder into an aluminum foil container, which he then hid in the bundle of hay kept in a corner of his paddy field.

Upon receiving the information, members from Blue Cross of India rushed to the spot. Dawn Williams, General Manager of Blue Cross of India told DT Next, “When we inspected the spot, the villagers said the cattle died after eating a poison-mixed fodder. However, it is yet unknown as to why the accused resorted to this unwanted activity. The truth will come out only after a police investigation.”

Terming the deaths as unfortunate, another volunteer of Blue Cross of India said, “The death toll could have increased to 20 had there been no herders in the field. Three of the deceased cows recently delivered calves.”

“We have lodged a complaint in Somangalam police station in Kancheepuram district,” he added.

When contacted, a police officer said the carcasses are under their custody and a post-mortem will be conducted on Monday. “We have registered a case against Natarajan based on the complaint,” he said.