Sangli, Maharashtra
After learning that a series of illegal horse races were slated to be conducted on 29 September near Borgaon Toll Plaza in the Kavthe Mahankal tehsil of Sangli district, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India promptly took action by notifying and collaborating with senior Sangli police officials. These races were promoted by wrestler and politician Chandrahar Patil of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party on his Instagram page, even though holding such events is in clear violation of animal protection laws.
In its complaint letter, PETA India pointed out 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 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and may violate the Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001. PETA India’s cruelty response division worked closely with the superintendent of police and the additional superintendent of police, Sangli. As a result, the event was cancelled, sparing numerous horses suffering.
“Horse races are cruel, as participants force the animals to run through hitting them and the use of weapons. The horses endure extreme physical strain, which often results in injury and always causes suffering,” says PETA India Cruelty Response Coordinator Sunayana Basu. “These animals already have a hard life without being forced to endure the additional torment of being beaten and compelled to race. We commend the Sangli police, particularly Additional Superintendent of Police Smt Ritu Khokhar, IPS, for upholding the law and protecting horses from abuse.”
In 2016, the Rajasthan High Court prohibited tonga races in Rajasthan after reviewing a report from the AWBI report which highlighted that horses suffer when they’re compelled to run amid noisy vehicles and loud spectators, causing them fear and distress.
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