Honnavar: A gruesome act of animal cruelty has come to light in Salkoda village, Uttara Kannada district, where a pregnant cow was brutally slaughtered, and its unborn calf was gruesomely mutilated.

The incident has left the local community outraged and demanding justice.

The cow, owned by Krishnachari, went missing on Friday evening after grazing. On Saturday, a search led to a horrifying discovery – the cow’s severed head and legs were found discarded in separate locations, while its unborn calf had been brutally removed and abandoned.

The meat of the cow was reportedly stolen, leaving behind a scene of brutality that has shocked the region.

Speaking to reporters, the grieving owner, Krishnachari, said, “The cow I had raised and cared for over a decade was stolen and slaughtered. The sight of my mutilated calf was devastating.”

Residents of Salkoda, including Krishnachari's wife, expressed their anguish over the incident. “We have always feared leopards taking our cattle, but this level of cruelty is unimaginable,” she said.

Local MLA Dinakar Shetty visited the affected family and strongly condemned the incident. Addressing the media, Shetty criticised the government, blaming it for the alleged rise in lawlessness. “The current government has failed to ensure the safety of our livestock and protect the sentiments of majority community. Such incidents are a disgrace to our state,” he said.

This incident comes amidst growing concerns over animal cruelty in Karnataka. Recently, a cow’s udder was mutilated in Bengaluru, and the accused was dismissed as “mentally ill” by officials, drawing further criticism from political leaders and the public.

The Honnavar police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Locals have called for strict action against the perpetrators and urged the government to implement stronger measures to prevent such heinous crimes.