Tiruchi Corporation faces challenges in impounding cattle roaming the roads as owners remain defiant

Tiruchi Corporation workers impounding stray cattle in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Despite Tiruchi Corporation’s continued efforts to tackle the stray cattle menace, it has been facing challenges in impounding the animals that wander on city roads.

In order to avert traffic snarls caused by the animals, the civic body has engaged three agencies to conduct the drive round-the-clock. However, the enforcement drive is often met with resistance and threats from owners of livestock.

On Thursday night, about seven head of cattle rounded up in the Woraiyur area had to be let off as the owners had political influence and attempted a road blockade. Officials said that the owners of livestock often turned hostile towards the workers, demanding the return of the animals. Although the police accompany the workers, action was not taken and the workers were forced to free the cattle.

Such issues persist in Woraiyur, Kuzhumikarai, and Edamalaipattipudur areas, especially during the night drive. Although sanitation officials had been engaged to monitor the drive, the owners allege that the workers seized livestock from the streets. The owners abandon their animals on the road for grazing, which is a road safety hazard, especially at night, a senior Corporation official said.

To avert a law and order problem, the Corporation had sought the support of the police and urged them to provide protection to its workers during the impounding drive to avoid accidents.

A total of 145 head of cattle were rounded up between May and June 14. Of these, 88 were impounded during a mass night drive carried out in the last two weeks.

Officials said the stray cattle menace had worsened because of the reduction in penalties. Following requests from councillors, the civic body reduced penalties imposed on owners of stray cattle to ₹2,500 per head. Earlier, the owners were fined ₹5,000 for cows and horses and ₹2,500 for calf.

According to an official source, 912 animals had been impounded, and ₹27.33 lakh collected as penalty between November 2022 and June 2025. A total of 51 animals were auctioned for ₹3.45 lakh. Four auctions were conducted in the last two years.

Published - June 14, 2025 07:24 pm IST