Authorities start vaccinating cows

Madurai, Tamilnadu Mar 12 (UNI) Following reports of mass deaths of cows in the 'Goshala' (cow shed) at famous Azhagar Koil in this district recently, authorities are taking necessary steps, including vaccination, to prevent further casualties.

The temple authorities today began vaccinating all the cows housed at the Goshala following reports of mass death of cows due to improper care and malnutrition.

Temple officials said a veterinery doctors' team was camping in the ''Goshala'' administering vaccine to the animals.

Dismissing the reports of the deaths occurring due to malnutrition and improper care, the officials said only four cows died of unknown epidemic due to climate change.

Due to a stay by the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, the auctioning of cows was stopped in the Goshala since December last year.

This led to the 'Goshala' being filled to capacity with animals donated by the devotees. Auctioning the animals only would put an end to such incidents, they said.

The Azhagar Koil is the second in Tamil Nadu after Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram Island where the death of 15 cows had been reported in the recent past.

The deaths due to the alleged starvation had created a political stir with AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa demanding the resignation of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi owning moral responsibility for the incident.

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