CHENNAI: An illegal dairy unit with around 200 cattle has encroached upon the busy service lane of Chennai-Bengaluru highway in Nazarathpet posing a serious threat to motorists. Activists also allege that the staff have been injecting oxytocin, a banned drug, into the livestock to increase milk production, violating several sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Located on government poramboke land just outside the Chennai city limits, thousands of litres of milk are taken daily from buffaloes and cows that are housed under direct sun at this unit. When TNIE visited the place, it was noticed that a few animals were tied within the precast stormwater drain blocks on the roadside, and most of the animals were exposed to the simmering heat.
