In order to put an end to the cattle nuisance, the Mettupalayam Municipality on Tuesday seized cows and sheep that were wandering on the roads.

According to D. Sathish Kumar, the Chairman of the Mettupalayam Municipality, the livestock which are reared in the nearby fields are cut loose by the owners for grazing. Most of the cattle usually wander on the roads creating traffic congestion in the area.

Officials have been repeatedly warning the cattle owners to tether them. Since they refused to heed, the
municipality officials seized around 14 cows and 17 sheep that were wandering near Potato Market, Mettupalayam Bus Terminus, and Ooty Main Road and locked them at the municipality office.

The owners have been informed to collect their cattle by paying a penalty of Rs.1000 per cow and Rs.250 pre sheep. “We have given them two days’ time to collect their cattle. If they don’t, we will send the animals to the local goshala,” a municipality official informed.

Most of the sheep have been claimed by their owners, but the cows still remain with the municipality. The animals are being fed and taken care of at temporary sheds.