MADURAI: A 65-year-old

was electrocuted while trying to save his

that came in contact with a snapped live power cable in a village near

in

on Tuesday morning. His

dog

was also electrocuted while trying to pull the cable away from his master to save him.

The deceased farmer has been identified as M Mokkusu of Kalkondanpatti village near Usilampatti.

The incident happened around 7.30am when Mokkusu took the cow to his farmland for grazing. Moderate rain with heavy wind lashed the village on Monday evening, snapping the power cable. Mokkusu did not see the snapped cable.

The cow came in contact with the cable and fell down. Mokkusu, who tried to revive the cow, was electrocuted.

The farmer’s dog, an Indian mongrel, which accompanied him, tried to help him by pulling the cable away. The dog was electrocuted when it bit the cable to pull it away.

On being alerted, the Uthappanaickanur police rushed to the spot. Tamil Nadu Electricity Board officials cut power supply.

Many villagers visited the spot as information about the dog’s attempt to save its master spread.