Mumbai: Three dead cattle spread fear in Aarey

The carcasses were found in Unit 17 of Aarey Milk Colony

AMID the spread of the lumpy skin disease in cattle, carcasses dumped on the road in Aarey Milk Colony spread panic among the local residents on Wednesday morning.

The three dead animals' viscera and tissue samples have been sent for further examination to ascertain the cause of death. However, sources said they had no symptoms of the viral infection.

Vanrai police said they filed an FIR after locals informed them about the three dead cattle in Unit 17 of Aarey Milk Colony. They sent the carcasses to Mumbai Veterinary College for post-mortem.

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Siraj Salema, a local resident, said, "I saw three carcasses of cattle dumped on the roadside. Police, veterinarians and other officials came to the spot after we alerted the cops. These animals were not from Aarey, as cattle farm owners here call a van for disposal of the carcass whenever there is a death. This has been done by some outsiders."

Rajesh Nandimath, senior inspector from Vanrai police station, said, "We have registered a case under Section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle) of the Indian Penal Code against an unknown person. We are waiting for the post-mortem reports of the three animals."

"The local residents and cattle farm owners fear that the animals died due to some infection, and that their livestock would be affected because crows and other animals were eating the carcasses," Nandimath said.

A veterinarian from the Mumbai Veterinary College, requesting anonymity, told mid-day, "We have conducted a post-mortem and prima facie, it looks like all the three animals died due to lung infection.

There were no symptoms of the lumpy skin disease. We have collected viscera samples and sent them to Kalina forensic lab for further analysis. We have also preserved the tissue and sent it for toxicological screening. We are awaiting the reports."