Pune: Sangli police recently stopped illegal horse racing in Kavthe Mahankal tehsil after being notified about the same by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ). These races, promoted by a wrestler and politician, were scheduled to be held on Sept 29. Ritu Khokhar, additional SP, Sangli police, told TOI, "We received information that the race was being conducted illegally.
The organisers only had permission for bullock cart racing. Hence, we issued a notice to them to stop it, and they complied with the order." 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 from the suffering, it said.
"Three types of races — bullock cart, horse cart, and horseback races — were planned without any certificate from AWBI. Once we got the information, we sent it across to the Sangli police, who then immediately sent a notice warning the event organ.