The cattle nuisance and control department of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has become active this year by lodging 564 police complaints against stray cattle owners during the period from April to November. AMC had lodged 485 police complaints in 2019-20, 364 complaints in 2020-21. The complaints are lodged under various provisions of the IPC as well as under the Cattle Trespass Act 1871 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
7,523 stray cattle is caught by AMC during current year starting April 2021. The highest number of stray cattle (2,529) and highest number of police complaints (211) were made in October.
The officials are facing serious problems when cattle owners attack them frequently while they are catching stray cattle. Without Police department’s active support, it is not possible for civic authorities to carry on with their job. Cattle owners who let them stray in the city appear to have scant regard for the civic obligations. The officials, keep on catching the same stray animals who are freed after collecting Rs 3,000 in fine and Rs 500 per day as animal maintenance from them.
Stray cattle is a big nuisance within city limits. There are many incidences of stray cows showing up unexpectedly on busy speeding lanes or injuring unsuspecting citizens causing heavy orthopaedic damage sometimes leading to death.