In an unusual dispute over a cow in Tuong Duong District, Nghe An Province, two neighboring households resorted to DNA testing to determine rightful ownership. Although the test settled the argument, the cost far exceeded the cow’s value.

On April 18, Moong Cong Hai, Chief Justice of Tuong Duong District People’s Court, confirmed that after receiving DNA test results on the disputed cow - valued at approximately 5 million VND (around 200 USD) - the animal was returned to its rightful owner, La Thi On, with assistance from the local authorities in Yen Hoa Commune.

According to case files, Lo Van Thuong (born 1963) and La Thi On (born 1981), neighbors living in Yen Hop Hamlet, Yen Hoa Commune, had been entangled in the cow dispute for two months.

Thuong claimed he found a three-year-old cow near the Khe Kit forest area and believed it was the offspring of one of his own. On the other hand, On insisted the cow looked identical to one she had recently lost. Multiple confrontations led nowhere, prompting Thuong to file a formal complaint with the commune’s People’s Committee.

Yen Hoa’s vice chairwoman, Lo Thi Dai Trang, explained that local farmers typically allow their cattle to roam freely in nearby forests. While some families frequently monitor their livestock, others check only once every year or two, usually during vaccination campaigns. Misidentifications and even disputes over animals are not uncommon.

“In this case, we organized three reconciliation sessions, but both parties remained adamant. Each claimed the cow closely resembled their herd’s traits. We had no choice but to collect DNA samples,” said Trang.

DNA testing more expensive than the cow

The district court, in coordination with local authorities, collected samples and sent them for DNA analysis. The results confirmed that the cow belonged to La Thi On.

The cow, estimated to be worth about 5 million VND (roughly 200 USD), incurred DNA testing costs of 7.8 million VND (over 310 USD) - excluding travel and administrative expenses.

The court had both parties sign a written agreement beforehand, acknowledging that the losing side would bear the full cost of the DNA testing.

“Despite knowing the cost might exceed the cow’s value, both parties were determined to prove their claims and agreed to all terms,” said a local official.

This was not the first DNA-tested cow dispute in Yen Hoa. A similar case was recorded in 2020.

“We hope this will encourage residents to manage and monitor their livestock more responsibly. It’s time to move away from traditional free-roaming practices that often lead to disputes like this,” the commune leadership stated.

Thien Luong