A disturbing incident in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India has brought to light the escalating issue of stray animals in the state. An 85-year-old man, identified as Kripal Singh, was critically injured after being violently thrown into the air by a bull during his evening walk. The attack, caught on CCTV footage, shows the bull charging at Singh from the front, lifting him several feet into the air before he crashes to the ground.
Singh sustained severe head and abdominal injuries, including a protruded intestine caused by the bull’s horns. Local shopkeepers rushed him to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The incident occurred near the residence of Dinesh Khatik, a minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh. Senior police officer Rakesh Kumar has acknowledged the video and initiated an investigation into the matter.
This incident highlights the growing problem of stray and feral animals in Uttar Pradesh. The state’s livestock minister, Dharmpal Singh, has repeatedly pledged to address the issue by capturing stray cattle and relocating them to shelters. In February 2023, Singh urged the public to celebrate Valentine’s Day by offering cows ‘gud and roti’ (sweet and flatbread) and taking their blessings. This unusual appeal, which stemmed from the Animal Welfare Board of India’s (AWBI) directive to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’, was met with widespread ridicule and eventually withdrawn.
The attack on Kripal Singh underscores the urgent need for effective solutions to manage the growing population of stray animals in Uttar Pradesh. While the government has taken steps to address the problem, the incident highlights the need for more comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of citizens and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
