Dhaka, Sep 15 (IANS): About two million out of 3.5 million cows slaughtered in Bangladesh each year are smuggled in from India as the local market fails to meet the demand, media reported Monday.

This information was disclosed Sunday by the Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University to raise awareness ahead of Eid-ul-Azha Oct 4, bdnews 24 reported.

Speakers said that the smuggled cattle brought with them hoof disease while many cattle traders use steroid to make the cows fat in a short time.

Steroid weakens immunity of the cows and it does not lose its effect even after the cooking the meat.

"Eating meat of a cow that has been made fat by steroids may harm our kidneys and liver, and may also affect our immune system," a professor the university's Medicine and Public Health Department said.

"The cattle smuggled in from India are old. Cows suffering from hoof diseases develop sores on their hooves and mouths within a week," he said.

The livestock ministry arranges for vaccination of cows along the border to prevent spread of the disease.

Around 1.8 million cattle are slaughtered during Eid-ul-Azha alone, the professor said.