CHENNAI: An 85-year-old man has been arrested for chopping off a cow’s leg after the animal had defecated on dry chili, he had spread out in front of his house. V Balu, a resident of Guduvancherry, was later released on bail, citing his age, after he was produced before the magistrate court in Chengalpet on Tuesday.

During questioning, Balu told investigating officers that initially he tried to ‘shoo’ the cow away with a stick but instead of going away it dropped dung on his chili. Infuriated by this he threw his sickle towards the cow and it injured the animal badly after hitting its leg, he said. The cow collapsed immediately after that.

One of the residents informed Blue Cross of India (BCI) volunteers about the incident, following which the general manager of BCI, Dawn Williams lodged a formal complaint at the Guduvancherry police station. The man was charged under IPC Section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle) and 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

A team of Blue Cross staff and volunteers sent the injured animal to the Veterinary Polyclinic in Saidapet for further treatment after giving first-aid. They placed splints and bandaged the wounds. Police are also looking for the owner of the cow. “We will take the cattle to the Madras Veterinary College in Periamet for taking an X-ray. The doctors examined the cow and said that metal plates should be fixed in the animal’s injured leg,” Dawn Williams said.

