One-month-old calves brought for slaughter in Kochi, locals stop vehicle

KOCHI: The locals stopped the vehicle transporting calves brought to slaughter for meat. The incident was near Kannangad Bridge. The vehicle which had place for only three calves to stand, was stuffed with almost 25 calves. Some had died without water and food. The rest were standing on top of them. Reports said most of the calves were one-and a half-month old.

The calves were brought from Palakkad to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry for slaughtering. However, valid documents were not there. The locals noticing the vehicle stuffed with calves stopped it near the Kannangad Bridge. The vehicle and the calves are now in the custody of the harbour police. The calves will be shifted to the shelter after legal proceedings.

Similar incidents have been reported before. Calves including ones with diseases, are being transported to Kerala without valid documents. This is done in the absence of inspectors. Most of them would be weak due to insufficient food and water. There have been incidents of cattle falling off the lorry onto the road.