Daijiworld Media Network - Ponda

Ponda, Dec 5: Police in Ponda have sought a veterinary examination following the discovery of bones abandoned in gunny bags near a cow shed at Chafemol-Nirankal, raising suspicions of possible illegal slaughtering of animals.

Natasha Coutinho, assistant director at the Ponda Veterinary Hospital, inspected the bones and is expected to submit her report to the Ponda police on Friday.

The incident came to light after Shabbir Bashir Hangal, 42, a resident of Belagavi, was intercepted by the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (South Goa) at the South Goa collector’s office. Hangal had been entrusted by the shed owner, Vikas Prabhu, to manage the cow shed.

Following the discovery of bones littered around the shed, the police requested the veterinary team to examine them to ascertain the cause.

Refuting allegations of illegal slaughter, Prabhu told reporters that the bones belonged to dead cows. “Due to busy schedules, the shed helpers could not bury the dead calves. The carcasses must have remained in place and decomposed inside the bags,” he said.

The veterinary report is awaited, and police investigations are ongoing to confirm the circumstances surrounding the discovery.