Stray cattle are not just culprits but victims themselves

Stray cattle causing accidents in Madurai prompt calls for better safety measures and responsible ownership from officials.

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 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.