The officials of Animal Disease Investigation Unit have launched an inquiry into the death of as many as 23 livestock, including 10 adult cows, allegedly after consuming contaminated water from a pond on the outskirts of Melpakkam village in Nemili dispensary jurisdiction near Arakkonam.
Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, Vellore, G Kamalanathan said the farmers were taking the livestock back to the village after grazing. On the way, the animals consumed water in the pond. After sometime, a few of the animals started frothing at the mouth and collapsed.
The owners alerted the officials of Animal Husbandry Department. “We received information at about 7.30 pm on Tuesday and rushed to the village. Despite our best efforts and treatment till 2.30 am on Wednesday, many head of cattle died,” he said.
Ten adult cows, three calves and 10 goats died between Tuesday evening and the early hours of Wednesday. A total of 115 livestock (50 adult cows, 28 calves and 37 goats) that fell sick after consuming water were treated and their condition has improved.
Officials conducted a post-mortem on the dead animals at the spot. “Vital organs of the animals and samples of the water will be sent to the forensic lab at Sathuvachari to find the cause of death,” said Kamalanathan.
Owners of the animals suspect foul play and said that some miscreants would have mixed pesticide in the pond. Stating that animals were the main source of their income, the owners pleaded to the district administration for a compensation.
Following a complaint from the cattle owners, Arakkonam town police booked a case in this regard and launched a parallel investigation along with Animal Disease Investigation Unit.
A team of three veterinarians and three animal husbandry assistants were stationed in the village to treat the sick animals.