Cattle fattening by steroids rife in 8 Rangpur dists before Eid

Our Correspondent | Published: September 19, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

BOGRA: Sacrificial animals have started to appear in some markets including one at Mohasthan haat. — Focus Bangla

RANGPUR, Sept 18: Fattening of cattle by harmful drugs has increased alarmingly ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha in 8 districts under Rangpur division, much to the worry of the consumers.
According to sources a section of unscrupulous cattle farmers and traders are engaged in fattening cows by banned and detrimental drugs in order to get windfall profit by selling them at different markets of the region before Eid-ul-Azha.
It is alleged that the dishonest cattle traders and rearers adopt a shortcut way to fatten the cows instead of following proper scientific method.
Sources said, about a large number of cows of eight districts of the division were administered harmful tablets by the farmers and traders for fattening their cattle. Thousands of seasonal traders and farmers of the districts are preparing to take their cows to markets on the eve of the Eid-ul-Azha.
They allegedly feed their cattle with harmful steroid drugs like pump, Oradexon, Periactin Vita and Decason tablets belonging to dexa-methasone group, a kind of steroid, for rapid fattening of the sacrificial animals within few days before Eid-ul-Azha to earn handsome profit from cattle business during the time.
As a result the cows become bulky within a short time, sources said. It also enhances brightness of hide and skin making them attractive. Consequently the customers become attracted to purchase them at exorbitant prices.
But these cattle are being infected with various diseases. If people consume the meat of the affected cattle, they might also be infected with various diseases, experts warned.
Dr. Rakibul Islam, a medicine specialist at Rangpur Medical College Hospital said if a man consumes beef of such cattle, his liver and kidney might be affected and his blood pressure might also increase. It may also weaken the immune system of human body making it vulnerable to various diseases, he added.
The cattle owners said they feed their animals such tablets to make them fat and attractive. This method is easier and cheaper. Although the cattle become somewhat feeble at the initial stage they become fatty afterwards.
District Livestock Officer, Rangpur Dr. Dulal Chandra Mohanta said under the fattening method, at least 20-25 tablets are administered to cattle and it creates abnormal pressure on the kidney and different organs the drug gradually affect the normal circulation of urine of the animal and within few days the cows become fat and good-looking, he also said.
The scientific method of fattening cattle is de-worming first and then mixture of Urea, molasses and straw should be used, he added.