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Family Shocked By Three-Legged Calf

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Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 01:06

A family in Nyamira County was in a deep shock after a cow they own gave birth to a three-legged calf. The cow, belonging to Agnes Mokeira Ntabo of Mageri village in North Mugirango constituency calved normally but the family was shocked to see that the calf had only three legs instead of four. Villagers thronged the homestead to witness the rare incident which some linked to witchcraft. When the Star visited the family, the owner, Ntabo was in deep shock and could not grant us an interview. The incident was abnormal and had never occurred in the area.

However, her sister, Damack Nyaboke Ntabo said the family never imagined such a thing happening. Nyamira District Veterinary Officer, Guto Onchoke and his Livestock counterpart, Edward Ondigi visited the home to examine the animal. Dr Onchoke said the condition was rare but urged the family not to worry because this was just an abnormality.He said the cow has previously given birth to healthy, normal calves.

He said the cow was artificially inseminated but due to genetic mutations, some chromosomes mutated wrongly leading to the abnormality. He said while it will be difficult to bring up the animal, especially when it develops weight, it can be reared for a while and be slaughtered for consumption to save the family total loss.