The Hindu : Front Page : Temple cattle not kept well: veterinarians

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Temple cattle not kept well: veterinarians

Shastry V. Mallady and R. Sairam

Temple receives around 2,500 cattle every year
Only one closed-roof shed exists

MADURAI: The Department of Animal Husbandry has come out strongly against unsatisfactory upkeep of cattle at Lord Kallalagar Temple in Alagarkoil near here, where four calves died on Monday.

After studying the conditions at the temple on Thursday, veterinary officials concluded that the 248 cattle, most of which were offered by devotees, could also be under threat “if the temple authorities do not act immediately for constructing separate sheds for calves and adults.”

“We have asked temple officials to send particulars on the arrivals of animals on a regular basis. Only then can appropriate medical steps be taken,” a senior animal husbandry official told The Hindu here.

While maintaining that lack of proper shelter for temple animals was a risky proposition, the official said that it would be important to allocate sufficient money for maintenance of the cattle.

Figures available with the Animal Husbandry Department show that there are 42 heifer calves, 174 bull calves, 17 cows and 15 bulls at the temple at present.

On Thursday, veterinary doctors ‘de-wormed’ all the cattle to prevent worm infestation.

When contacted, the temple officials said that they required an extra source of income either from the Government or private donors to maintain the cattle.

The temple receives around 2,500 cattle as offering from devotees every year.

The cattle are kept on a 12,500 square feet area where one closed-roof shed exists. Another closed shed is being constructed and is expected to be completed in two to three days.

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