Ox saves owner from crocodile attack in Bagalkot

Bagalkot: Oxen are believed to be good friends of their owners. However, an ox has emerged as a saviour for its owner in Honnihal village, Bilagi taluk, Bagalkot district. It has come to light that farmer Dhariyappa Meti, 32, was bitten by a crocodile when he was washing his oxen in the backwaters of the Almatti reservoir. He lost his right hand in the attack, but survived, thanks to timely intervention by his ox.
Honnihal gram panchayat member Manjunath Parande told TOI that the incident occurred on last Monday. "Meti had taken two oxen and a bull to River Krishna. He was holding the ropes of all three cattle together. After washing one ox, he was washing another when a crocodile attacked him, biting off his right hand. When he tried to free it with his left hand, the crocodile bit the index finger on Meti's left hand too. Responding to the attack, the second ox stepped on the crocodile and pulled Meti to the bank," he added.
Meti's brother-in-law Sangappa Yalaguri said the incident took place on Oct 7. "Had the ox not dared to pick him from the water, we could have lost Meti. It was like a rebirth for him, all thanks to the ox," he added. Meti suffered serious injuries to his right hand.
Meti's wife Gouravva Yalaguri, who works as a guest teacher in Honnihal, said Bilagi MLA JT Patil visited her husband. "As per his instruction, forest officials have collected all details and documents from us. We have continued his treatment at our own cost. Doctors have suggested inserting a steel rod as a bone was cut. They have also assured us of fixing an artificial hand after the wound heals completely," she shared.
Both said they were treating the ox like a god after the incident.
Parande said the crocodile bite was the first such incident in the village. "Villagers used to see the crocodile from a distance earlier. After this incident, we are warning people of Yatnatti, Badaradinni, and Honnihal to be careful about crocodiles, through our garbage collection vehicles," he added.
He demanded that the forest department sanction compensation for Meti to meet his medical expenses.