"Boy escapes death by a whisker being gored by angry bull'

Boy escapes death by a whisker being gored by angry bull

Sumesh Rajan

Mumbai: July 3, 2018

Taming of bulls is a popular sport in many parts of India. In one such recent incident in the South Indian state of Karnataka, a young man was almost gored by his own bull that he had brought to participate in the sport held in the village square.

The incident took place on June 28 at Mudhol village in Gulbarga district of the state, during the bull-taming competition known as Kaaruni or Hori Bedarisuvudu or Kari Biduvudu.

In a video shot by a bystander on his phone, a couple of young farmers are seen taking their bulls to the start line, followed by Anand Monappa Naikot -- an 18-year-old farmer – dragging his somewhat reluctant bull. Meanwhile, another person from behind twists the tail of the bull, which apparently enrages the bull and in a matter of seconds, the bull pounces on Anand and tries to gore him. To everyone’s horror, the bull lifts him by its horns and throws him on to the ground, then tramples two other persons in the crowd before running away.

“Anand had a lucky escape, as the bull’s horns missed his vital organs, and he is caught by his pants and flung to the ground. He and 20-year-old Shravan Ramappa Mandvad who was trampled with the bull sustained minor injuries and were taken to the primary health centre, and was discharged after treatment,” informed Mundhol police station Senior Inspector N Veerendhra.

“This sport is organized by bull owning farmers. The bulls are painted in different colours and decked in ribbons, plastic flowers, etc. They are also fed with a special diet to make then healthy and strong. Arrangements are made for people to watch the competition and cheer the youths who try to tame and stop the bulls. The bulls are then let loose at the selected path in the village to run. The owners of the bulls, which reach the goal post without being touched by any contestant, get prizes like gold medallions, motorbikes, etc., while those who succeed in taming and stopping the bulls get a silver sword,” said Mundhol resident Narahari Mahendrakar.