Seven domestic cattle died following consumption of polythene and residue of urea in Latehar district's Chatwar village under the Baariyatu block.
Latehar district animal husbandry officer Deonath Chourasia said "These cattle ate urea. It was there on the heap of garbage."
"Urea once in the abdomen gets fermented and changes into ammonia. Ammonia affects the liver. It causes enormous toxicity." Chourasia added.
Chourasia said we advise people not to leave residue of food etc in any polythene as poor cattle in need of food also gulp down polythene.
The local touring veterinary officer Sushila Bage said "We have found a large number of polythenes inside the body of the cattle. It is very sad. Cattle don't know how polythenes kill."
Two of the 7 dead cattle were eaten up by wild animals.
Viscera of the 5 more cattle were preserved for the forensic test in the Ranchi veterinary college.
Among the 5 dead cattle one was the pregnant cow, one calf and three oxen, said Sushil Bage.
The loss of the 7 cattle all primarily for eating polythene and other harmful leftovers ranging from food to urea has come as a big shock to the families there.
