Two men who tried to steal two cows failed when their action was discovered by villagers in an incident in Lahar Tiang here Saturday night.

A villager Noor Bibi Ziana Murah, 32, said in the incident about 7.30pm, the rustlers fled when they were discovered trying to push the cows into a car.

She said the cows were found in a weak condition believed to be sedated near the abandoned car.

The villagers who were outraged by the action had set the car on fire. -- Bernama