Mangalore : As many as 19 cows and calves which were being smuggled in a Mahindra pick-up vehicle were seized by the Mangalore rural police near Gurupura on July 10, Wednesday morning.

The police who initially directed the pick-up vehicle with number plate to stop, grew suspicious as the vehicle failed to heed to their direction. The vehicle took to reverse and the police had to chase the vehicle to intercept it near Gurupur bridge. Those in the car however escaped.

Sadly four of the 19 cattle in the vehicle died very soon after they were seized.

Investigations are underway.