Ranchi: Four persons were arrested on Monday for transporting 16 bovine animals without food and water in a small truck.

The quartet - Rajnandan Ram (30), Sanjay Singh (50), Santosh Kumar Ram (32) and Shyam Dayal Yadav (28) - were nabbed around 5am from BIT More on NH-33, about 20km from the city.

Cattle inspector of state animal husbandry department Prem Chand Singh said seven cows, one buffalo and eight calves were being ferried from Fatuha in Patna to Chakradharpur. "Those arrested did not have proper documents about the bovine animals. The animals didn't even have sufficient space to stand comfortably. Neither there was anybody to take care of them nor was there any arrangement for first aid. They were tied to the tether and injury marks were also noticed on their bodies suggesting the use of sticks," Singh said, adding the quartet will be produced before the court on Tuesday for further legal action.

Singh said he would not allow smuggling of cattle from the district and had spread his network to get tip-offs on smuggling attempts.

On May 17, four persons were arrested for carrying bovine animals in cruel manner in a pick-up van from Piska, about 20km from the city on NH-33 under Ormanjhi police station. On May 14, seven persons were nabbed for carrying 13 bovine animals in the same manner.