The Vile Parle police station has taken swift action against an illegal horse-cart race held on May 13 along the Western Express Highway, following a complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. The race, which ran from Vile Parle to Kherwadi, involved numerous men whipping and beating horses to force them to race amidst the chaos of motorcycles and shouting riders.
The police, prompted by a video provided by a whistleblower, conducted a 20-day investigation led by senior officials. As a result, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered, and one of the alleged perpetrators was arrested. The FIR was filed under Sections 34, 279, 289, and 336 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, as well as Sections 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(d) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Additionally, four horses were seized.
PETA India, which had submitted a formal complaint to the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, worked closely with Paramjit Singh Dahiya, IPS, the Additional Commissioner of Police, West Region, Mumbai, to address the issue. The animal protection group praised the police for their decisive action. "PETA India commends the efforts of the Mumbai police for sending a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated," said Sunayana Basu, PETA India's cruelty response coordinator. "The mental trauma and physical torture these malnourished and weak horses must have endured is hard to imagine."
In its complaint, PETA India highlighted a 2015 judgment by the High Court of Bombay, which ruled that none of the horse stables in Mumbai possess a license under Section 394 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. The group also referenced a 2016 Rajasthan High Court order banning tonga races, based on a study by the Animal Welfare Board of India that found inherent cruelty in forcing horses to race on roads amidst traffic.
PETA India's motto, which states that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way," underscores their commitment to preventing such incidents. The organization continues to advocate for the enforcement of animal protection laws and the cessation of cruel practices involving animals.
The Mumbai police's prompt response and collaboration with PETA India serve as a warning to those who exploit animals, reaffirming the city's stance against animal cruelty.
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