Sat Dec 21 13:18:10 UTC 2024: ## Tiruchi City Corporation Intensifies Stray Cattle Impoundment Drive Following Accidents
**Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu –** In response to a rise in accidents involving stray cattle on national highways, the Tiruchi City Corporation has launched an intensified impoundment drive. The initiative follows several incidents, including the recent rescue of a calf severely injured after being hit by a vehicle on the Tiruchi-Chennai National Highway.
The Corporation has increased efforts to round up stray animals along major highways, including the Tiruchi-Madurai, Tiruchi-Dindigul, and Tiruchi-Pudukottai routes. These animals, often left to graze by their owners, pose a significant threat to road users and disrupt traffic flow.
City Health Officer M. Vijay Chandran emphasized the problem of cattle using water channels near highways, urging owners to prevent their animals from straying onto roads. Three private agencies are assisting the Corporation in the day and night impoundment operations.
Since November 2022, the Corporation has impounded 568 cattle, generating ₹18.63 lakh through penalties and auctions. A recent auction of 15 unclaimed cattle yielded ₹73,000 – the fourth such auction, bringing the total revenue from auctions to ₹3.45 lakh.
The Corporation plans to increase penalties for repeat offenders to ₹20,000, plus a daily ₹300 fodder charge. Currently, fines stand at ₹5,000 for cows and horses, and ₹2,500 for calves. Unclaimed animals will be auctioned after 15 days, and stringent action will be taken against their owners. A new approach using sedatives, with the assistance of the Forest Department, will be employed for impounding stray horses to avoid injury.
Finally, the Corporation plans to establish a committee for the protection of impounded cattle, involving the city police, Animal Husbandry department, and animal welfare NGOs.
First Piper 