Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar Police Take Action Against Illegal Horse-Cart Race After PETA Complaint
The Kashigaon Police Station registered a first information report (FIR) against three individuals for organising and participating in an illegal horse-cart race that took place on 1 October in station’s jurisdiction. This action followed a complaint filed by PETA India, which was alerted to the race by a whistleblower.
After submitting a complaint to Shri Madhukar Pandey, IPS, commissioner of police, Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar, PETA India collaborated closely with Shri Avinash Ambure, deputy commissioner of police (crime), and the Kashigaon Police Station. The FIR was registered under Sections 291, 281, 125, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(l) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Six horses were seized as part of the operation.
PETA India pointed out in its letter to the commissioner of police that under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, and the Performing Animals (Registration) Amendment Rules, 2001, no animal can be legally used for training, exhibition, or performances without being registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). Spectacles such as the planned animal races also violate the PCA Act, 1960, and may violate the Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001. In addition, the group referred to a 2016 Rajasthan High Court order which banned tonga races in the state following a study report submitted by the AWBI. The report highlighted that cruelty to horses is inherent when they’re forced to run on roads amid traffic conditions that are frightening and distressing for them, as seen during the illegal race on the highway.
