Odisha man ties cow's leg to truck, drags it for metres; arrested

An alleged instance of animal cruelty has sparked intense public outrage in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district after a truck driver was caught on camera dragging a cow behind his vehicle for several meters. The incident occurred on National Highway-49, resulting in the driver's immediate detention and the seizure of the heavy vehicle.

According to eyewitness accounts, the cow’s hind legs were tied with a rope and fastened to the rear of the truck. The animal was then dragged along the asphalt, resulting in catastrophic injuries.

A video of the ordeal, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, showed the cow in a critical state with one of its legs missing and the body severely mutilated from the friction of the road.

Preliminary statements from the police suggest a complex sequence of events leading up to the cruelty. Authorities noted that the cow had initially been involved in a collision with the truck after wandering onto the highway, an accident that reportedly resulted in the animal's death.

Following the collision, locals allegedly instructed the driver to clear the carcass from the flow of traffic. However, instead of moving the body through proper disposal services, the driver chose to hitch the animal to his truck and drag it away from the scene.

The local community has expressed concerns over the lack of humanity displayed in the act, with many residents gathering to demand the strictest possible legal action against the accused.

While the driver remains in custody for questioning, the local police have launched a formal investigation to determine the full extent of the violations committed.

Officials have assured the public that they are treating the case with the utmost seriousness and that justice will be served in accordance with animal welfare laws.

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