Mangalore : A cattle trafficking  vehicle was intercepted by the police near Gurupur after a chase  on July 10, Wednesday morning. Though the 19 cows and calves in the Mahindra pick-up vehicle were seized, the cattle smugglers were successful  in taking to their heels.

It is learnt, the police who were on a routine checking on noticing the vehicle without number plate asked it to stop. However, the directive went unheeded and the vehicle  zoomed forth. The police had to chase it for some distance until it was intercepted near Gurupur bridge.

Sadly four of the 19 cows in the vehicle died soon after. Investigations are underway.