Bullock cart races: Animal lovers at it again

Alleging violation of rules on prevention of cruelty to animals, Naresh Kadyan, founder chairman of the People for Animals (PFA), Haryana, has lodged a complaint with the Punjab police against organisers, promoters and participants of bullock cart races, whose trials were held at Kila Raipur on Sunday.

Alleging violation of rules on prevention of cruelty to animals, Naresh Kadyan, founder chairman of the People for Animals (PFA), Haryana, has lodged a complaint with the Punjab police against organisers, promoters and participants of bullock cart races, whose trials were held at Kila Raipur on Sunday.

HT Image

The trials were organised by the bull owners' association after the Punjab and Haryana high court observed recently that animals were not being subjected to cruelty before or during the races.

Kadyan, who also represents the United Nations-affiliated International Organisation for Animal Protection (OIPA) in India, said he had lodged the complaint on the basis of violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, read with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules, 2001.

"The race organisers and bullock cart owners did not obtain the pre-transport permit from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), which is mandatory under the Cattle Transport Rules, 1978 (amended in 2001). As per the rules, bulls can't be made to run at a speed more than 4 km per hour. During the bullock cart race, these rules were violated," said Kadyan.