Channarayapatna, Apr 20 (DHNS): Acting on a tip off, the police intercepted four vehicles and rescued 115 cattle that were being transported to slaughter houses at Baraguru handpost near here on Tuesday. However, 14 calves died of asphyxiation, it is said.

Police seized the vehicles and the driver of one of them (from Yasin Nagar in Holenarsipur) has been taken into custody. The other three drivers fled the scene, abandoning the vehicles.

The police were checking the vehicles when they received the tip-off. Upon seeing the police, the drivers stopped the vehicles and took to their heels. The police were successful in nabbing one person.

The vehicles and the cattle were brought to the police station. There were eight buffaloes, seven cows and the remaining were calves. The mouth and legs of the animals were tied with ropes. Fourteen calves died due to asphyxiation. The local residents fed the rescued animals with water and milk. The animals were later shifted to Pinjrapole care centre in Mysuru.