Madurai: A mahout was today injured after
being attacked by a domesticated elephant which ran amok on a
road in the city causing panic, police said.
Kannan, who was assigned as a substitute to take care of
the 26-year old elephant in place of its mahout Ashok Kumar,
had attempted to feed the animal when it lifted him with its
trunk and flung him, police said, adding he suffered a
fracture and has been hospitalised.
The female elephant, brought here for a private function,
turned violent and broke free from its chains and started
running, they said.
On being informed, Ashok Kumar, who had gone on leave,
rushed and brought the animal under control. It was later
chained again.
Forest department officials said they were holding an
enquiry and assessing the health of the elephant.
"If the elephant had been beaten up, we will take action
against the owner," they said.
PTI
