Mangaluru:
The fire service department personnel of the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) on Sunday rescued a bull which became aggressive after it was choked by a rope tightly tied around its neck allegedly by illegal cattle traders.
The rope had been tightened around its neck apparently for transportation to a slaughter house.
The residents in the area have been seeing the animal in agony for the last few weeks and trying to save it with the help of the animal care trust based in the city.
Their attempts failed as the animal almost ran amok when people approached it.
The bull entered the dock area in the port on Saturday in search of water with visible symptoms of agony and suffocation.
The fire service personnel initially tried to physically hold the bull to release the rope but it became aggressive.
The bull was then brought to an enclosed area and its gate was closed.
After a full day of domestication by providing it with food, the animal calmed down and the staff began their work of removing the rope.
They were successful in the attempt by Sunday night, a press release from the port trust here said.
The animal was taken for veterinary care and treatment on Monday as the rope had caused a wound around its neck.
NMPT chairman A V Ramana congratulated the fire service staff for their work.
The area around the port has always been home to herds of stray cattle even before the construction of the port.
The port trust urged the authorities to keep a check on the illegal activities of cattle-smugglers.
