Cattle die in Karnataka after eating discarded poll rally food

BENGALURU: More than 20 head of cattle have died over the past fortnight from two separate incidents of food poisoning in Yadgir and Raichur districts. Officials say they died after eating leftover food from political rallies. The incidents have now raised concerns over unscientific disposal of waste by major political parties in the state.Animal husbandry department officials said 15 cattle died in Yergol village, Yadgir on Saturday after eating leftover rice served to participants of a political rally organised on Friday (March 24). Officials say some 30-35 cattle ate the leftover rice and none of them returned home. Locals said they found the cattle the next morning with bloated stomachs and informed the authorities.Raju Deshmukh, deputy director, animal husbandry department, told TOI that he and veterinarians rushed to the village. The team arrived there at around 8. 45am on Saturday. “Fifteen cattle were already dead,” Deshmukh said. “Their stomachs were bloated, and an autopsy confirmed they died of food poisoning. Each animal consumed about 5-6kg of rice and the food was spoilt. Another 20 head of cattle are still being treated but they are out of danger. ”Happened quicklyIn Raichur, seven cattle died after eating food discarded after a political rally in Gunjalli village on March 10. Dr Mohammad Sohaib, veterinary officer, Yelebichali, who headed a team that treated affected animals, said they died due to food poisoning. “The animals ate the rice on the night of March 10 and their stomachs were bloated. The reaction was very fast,” Sohaib said.