The Uttara Kannada police have taken into custody five people in connection with the beheading of a pregnant cow and mutilation of its calf in a village in Honnavar taluk of Uttara Kannada district on Sunday.

The police said that Krishna Achari had left his cow and its calf, along with other cows, out to graze in Kondadakuli of Salkodu village on January 18. When he returned on Sunday, Mr. Achari found the severed head and legs of the cow and the mutilated body of the calf.

The police had formed six teams to trace the culprits. As many as 10 persons are suspected to be involved in the case. The police have taken five persons to their custody and questioning them.

 “We will find the accused soon,” Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Amit Singh, told The Hindu on Tuesday.