The loss of open spaces might be to blame for a recent spike in reports of abused and neglected Indian cows lashing out. Reports of injuries from cows biting people on the streets of Delhi have spiked dramatically. A total of 17 cow bite cases have already been reported for the first half of 2011. This is more that the total number of reported bites in the last six years combined. Bites can cause injury and infection to the victim and animal rights groups speculate the increase in bites is a result of angry and mistreated cows in a poor living environment. Cows in India are tortured are abandoned by failed inner city dairy and leather operations. The cows are left to wander the streets but traditional grazing trails are being blocked by increased construction. To top it off, Delhi's traffic congestion continues to worsen. Wandering cows become confused and agitated and can lash out when confronted or disturbed. Vasanti Kumar, of Stray Relief and Animal Welfare (STRAW) tells the Telegraph that “Animals hear much higher frequency sounds than humans do, there is too much noise produced by traffic. This can be a cause of animals turning violent in public places, although their instinctive behavior is not to hurt.” If this makes you wake up in the middle of night afraid of being cornered in a dark alley by a pissed off cow, it's time to repent. ** Read more from The Informed Vegan BM