A recent incident in Balaji Nagar, Korattur, has spotlighted the escalating issue of stray cattle in Chennai. On Friday, a woman and her young daughter were attacked by a stray cow while walking to a local grocery store. CCTV footage reveals the cow charging at them unprovoked; the mother shielded her child but was violently tossed into the air, sustaining serious injuries. Passersby intervened, chasing the cow away and assisting the injured woman, who was subsequently treated at a private hospital. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) impounded the cow, relocating it to the ‘Ko’ Salai facility in Otteri.
This incident is not isolated. In January, a 52-year-old woman in Kalattipettai near Kundrathur died after falling from a two-wheeler when her son applied sudden brakes to avoid a stray cow. Additionally, a 60-year-old man suffered a fractured leg last October following an attack by a cow in Korukkupet while disposing of garbage near his residence.
Despite increased fines for negligent cattle owners, the GCC has yet to construct designated pounds in identified locations, including Shenoy Nagar, Tollgate Road, and near Perambur Barracks. Residents express frustration over the lack of effective measures, urging authorities to implement permanent solutions to ensure public safety.
The recurring nature of these incidents underscores the urgent need for the GCC to intensify efforts in managing stray cattle and enforcing regulations to prevent such attacks in the future.