Police in dilemma over horse

Although the police has booked a case of causing death through negligence (304-A) they are now in a dilemma on how to include the role of the horse in the accident. In 304-A cases, accused individuals will be arrested and the vehicle involved will be seized. The police has booked the teen rider, but is confused about seizing the animal.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists said that riding an animal without registering it with the Animal Welfare Board is an offence, and that cops can seize the animal and hand it over to a government agency or an NGO. Police said this was a rarest of the rare incident and they are exploring various angles on how to deal with the horse.

“We will be writing to the animal husbandry department to take charge of the animal. However, it did not suffer any injuries in the accident,” Mailardevpally inspector P. Jagadeeshwar said.

Animal rights activist HC advocate Shreya Paropkar said that any animal used for performances should be registered with the Animal Welfare Board as per Performance Animal Registration guidelines.

“Such animals are not allowed to run on roads as that can cause mishaps. Police can seize the animal under Section 34 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act as an animal will turn aggressive only if it is tortured or is frightened,” she said.

Meanwhile, N.G. Jayasimha, a member of the Animal Welfare Board of India, said that riding a horse by itself does not violate the Act. “But if the animal is tortured or injured it can be treated seriously,” he said.