DHARMAPURI: Farmers in Molayanoor in Pappireddipatti taluk said in the past fifteen days, three cows have died from dog bites and urged the administration to issue compensation to farmers.
On Wednesday, the Animal Husbandry department had collected samples from the carcasses that is suspected to die of rabies in Molayanoor village in Pappireddipatti taluk. Farmers said that in the rural areas, livestock are under severe threat from rabid dogs and urged the administration to mark the unknown cause of deaths as natural disasters and urged compensation.
Speaking to TNIE, P Udhayakumar from Molayanoor village said, "Over the past few months, there have been many incidents of livestock killed by suspected rabid dogs. On Wednesday morning, a cow that was in its late stages of pregnancy died from a suspected rabid dog and had suffered before its death. A total of three cows had died in our village alone. This issue must be addressed."
G Murali, a farmer from Kadathur, said, "There are many instances of livestock being killed by dogs, especially chickens, but not all cases are reported by the farmers. We suspect up to six cattle deaths in Molayanoor alone. Across the district, many goats have also been killed. These farmers must be identified and compensated. The death of a single cow could cripple a family, and so it is a natural disaster."
The Assistant Director of Animal Husbandry, P Kanagasabai, told TNIE, "We have collected samples from three carcasses and will know more after we get the report. This report would be sent to Collector R Sadheesh, following which the process will be initiated for compensation".
When questioned if there are any reported rabid dogs, officials said, "We have reported the incident to the panchayat, and they will secure the dogs. Thereafter, we can provide anti-rabies injection and provide other treatments."
When TNIE reached out to officials in the Molayanoor panchayat, they were unavailable for comment.