Abandoned Boy Nurses Straight From Cow Udder

Grandfather says the boy is strong

An 20-month-old boy from Cambodia is healthy and strong after nursing directly from a cow for more than a month.

Tha Sophat began feeding himself directly from the cow in July, after a storm destroyed his family's home and his parents left for Thailand to find work. His grandfather said the boy initially became ill, but saw calves nursing and followed suit. When the grandfather, Um Oeung pulled him away, the boy cried. So, Oeung told Reuters, he let him continue.

Neighbors in the village of Pheas in Siem Reap province, about 195 miles from the capital Phnom Penh, are disgusted and blame the grandfather.

"They blame me and have told me not to allow him to suckle from the cow anymore. They say the boy will be ashamed when he grows up and that he will be naughty," he said.

Since Saturday, he has limited the suckling to once a day.

"His health is fine, he is strong and he doesn't have diarrhea," said Oeung.

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