Cattle mishap on tracks rising

Animal activists have alleged that there is a rise in the cases of cattle being run over by the city’s trains along the Western line, due to areas of Jogeshwari, Goregaon and Dahisar being dotted by too many tabelas (cow-sheds).

“The instances are on the rise, and we have formally complained to the railway authorities, as the owners of bullocks and cows tie up the animals too close to running trains, leading to their deaths. It is sheer cruelty, and also very disturbing,” said Omkar Rane, manager of the Shree Ramanugrah Trust, who has approached the railways, seeking action.

He added that a few days ago, he had spotted two calves tied dangerously close to the railway tracks in Dahisar. “I went to the owner of the calves and tried to make him understand how dangerous it is for the animals, but to no avail,” he added.

A call to the Society for Prevention to Animals followed, who asked Rane to go to the BMC animal pound at Malad. From there, he was redirected to the railway authorities, all of this with no result.

“Some time back, we had rescued a buffalo involved in a railway accident in Jogeshwari. Nobody came forward to claim ownership. The buffalo was hospitalised, but she later succumbed to her injuries and died. This has to stop somewhere,” Rane said.

He said that the cattle-owners should act responsibly and see to the safety and medical needs of their animals instead of just exploiting them for milk and leaving them to die when they are no longer of any use to them. “Under the existing laws, even the police can initiate action against people who are cruel to animals,” said another activist.

WR chief spokesperson Sharat Chandrayan said that it was indeed dangerous to tie up animals near tracks, and added that they would initiate action against all such owners.