R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkal (EP)

Karkal, Nov 1: Soon after Dr Nagaraj Balegar, taluk deputy director of animal husbandry gave a statement that no animal is affected by foot and mouth disease in the taluk, more than ten street cattle in Anantashayana area were found to have symptoms of the disease.  Local people have treated the cattle with their own money due to sympathy towards the cattle.

Boils were found in the feet of the stray cattle that struggled to walk with their falling saliva bearing an unbearable stink.

Though the locals complained to the concerned department there was no response.  So they tied nearly ten cows with the symptoms in front of the residence of anti naxal force on court road and fed them food and water.  They then summoned Dr R R Kulkarni, veterinary doctor and administered medicine.

Social activist Henry Santhumayor, Raviraj Poojary, Vidyadar, Councilor Shubhada Rao, Giridhar Nayak were the ones who tended to the cattle.  Dr Kulkarni has admitted the symptoms in one of the cows.  He has said that the existence of the disease can only be confirmed after necessary tests, giving rise to suspicions.

The town municipality has taken the cattle in their custody.

The town municipality forbids treatment of cattle on roads. The municipality has taken custody of the cattle after being informed about their medical treatment. The sick cattle will be treated in the land belonging to the municipality, said Gopalakrishna Shetty, Chief official of town municipal council.