None to take (stray) bull by horns

Troubled by stray cattle, Moga seeks permanent solution to the menace.

Given a chance, Kamal Goel wouldn't ever walk the streets in Moga. Reason: The Old Grain Market resident has twice been attacked by stray cattle on the Moga roads. He was tossed around and trampled over by the animals — once with near fatal injuries— and owes his life to the doctors.

Gurnam Singh Dhillon, 65, had to rush his 10-year-old grand-daughter to Ludhiana's Apollo Hospital after a stray bull attacked and nearly gored her while she was returning from tuitions in the evening in Ramganj area of the city two years ago.

These two are not isolated incidents. In fact there are a number of other residents who dread taking a walk alone on the Moga streets both during the daytime as well as in the nights. With hundreds of stray cattle making the streets their home, the danger of being attacked by one is very much real.

So much so that the cattle, especially the stray bulls, entering into territorial fights often end with human blood on their horns and hoofs. Incidents have been reported where people have lost lives trying to protect their property or family members from the cattle.

Urmil, 55, also a resident of Grain Market area can never forget the day when three bulls, in a territorial fight, banged against the walls of her house. Not finding anything else and fearing bodily harm to her children, she started throwing buckets of water at the animals forcing them to retreat.

"We cannot move freely in the city or in the Grain Market as the stray cattle can attack anytime. No one can gauge their mood. Their fights often turn fatal and we have to keep our houses locked. Successive governments have failed to solve this problem," Urmil said as she recalled how her husband sustained serious injuries and had to be admitted to hospital after being attacked by a stray bull in the Main Market.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Theatres in Punjab cancel 'Shootout at Wadala' shows

Rail traffic hit due to protests over Sajjan's acquittal

Family of 1971 POW awaits his return from Pak, fears for his life

Anti-Pakistan protests erupt in Sarabjit's native village