PETA India Wins Interim Custody of Horse Abused for Ceremonial Purposes in Mumbai

In court proceedings on 20 January, the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Andheri, issued an order awarding PETA India interim custody of a mare rescued in a joint effort by Mumbai police and the group after apparently being abused for ceremonial purposes. The court, acting according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017, notified under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, was pleased to consider PETA India’s application seeking interim custody of the animal and dismissed the application for custody of her filed by the accused in the matter.

The horse was seized by Mumbai police in December 2019 following a complaint from PETA India that the lame, malnourished, dehydrated animal with multiple infected wounds and impaired vision in her right eye was being tethered with short ropes in an illegal stable in Kapaswadi, Andheri West. A first information report was registered by DN Nagar Police Station against the accused person under sections 3 and 11(1) (f), (g), and (h) of the PCA Act, 1960, and the animal was taken to the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Hospital (BSPCA) in Parel for necessary veterinary care.

PETA India submitted to the court that this mare is being kept in clear violation of the June 2015 High Court of Bombay order, which banned keeping and using horses in Mumbai city. A health examination report submitted by veterinarians with the Maharashtra Department of Animal Husbandry stated that, apart from the clinical conditions to be treated, the animal is unfit for any work. The BSPCA recently recommended to police that the horse be handed over to PETA India for expert care.

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