Vellore: Pooja and bull races mark Maattu Pongal

VELLORE: While Shiva temples across the district offered special pooja to Nandi the bull on the occasion of ‘Maattu Pongal’, incidents of torture involving bulls and even calves were seen at ‘bull races’ organised on Monday. Reports that most races were conducted without adhering to the district administration stipulations have angered animal lovers. Even as cows were taken to temples for ‘manjal neerattu’ or the ceremonial bath in turmeric water, scores of bulls were whipped and chased at the races. Crackers were burst to spur the bulls to run faster as crowds went into a frenzy and the animals ran helter-skelter. It is said that bulls that were tired were pulled at and jabbed.A few spectators are also said to have been injured after being trampled by the panic-stricken animals. Similar races were reportedly held at Pulimedu, Vrinjipuram, Kallicheri, TT Mottur and Cherlapalli. Protective measures at the venues were not in place, neither for animals nor spectators. Most races were held on tar roads, and even on main roads in some places, making road users anxious. Some ‘bull race’ organisers claimed that only local bulls were allowed to race in ‘friendly’ competitons and no prizes were involved.The district administration permitted bull races to be conducted in 205 villages this year, after imposing conditions as stipulated by the high court including installation of barricades, getting medical clearance from the Animal Welfare Board, permission from the police, first aid facilities at the venue and a deposit of `2 lakh, most of these norms were flouted.According to animal welfare activists, the Animal Welfare Board should aim to create more awareness on protecting race bulls, since such races left the animals wounded and traumatised.