Al Ameen from Kottiyam town has been arrested for attacking a pregnant horse at Pallimukku in the Kollam district. A group of six gangsters tied up the horse to a tree before brutally beating the innocent animal with sticks. Ameen is accused in three criminal cases.
The shocking incident occurred on Thursday and gained widespread public attention. The accused were identified by the police after the footage of the brutality was captured on CCTV cameras. Other accused in the incident are absconding. The Eravipuram police informed that the investigation continues to arrest the other accused.
A group of youths arrived in a car and scooters, brutally beat the horse with long sticks and kicked the unborn offspring. They tied up the five-month-pregnant horse to a coconut tree, making it immobile and assaulted the animal. While one man restrained the horse, five others attacked it.
The horse has severe injuries on its legs, near its eyes and bruises all over the body. The whole body is bruised and swollen. A medical examination revealed the animal had injuries and swelling all over its body.
A case was registered on the complaint of the owner of the horse, Shanavas, after he complained to the Eravipuram police. The police said the other day that they had identified the accused who attacked the horse.
Shanavas tethered the horse near Sri Thekkekavu Devi Temple. He asserted he learned that the horse was attacked late last night. Shanavas told the police that when he tied the horse in front of the temple with permission from the temple authorities, the people there agreed to keep a watch on the horse. He claimed this is why he tethered the horse to the temple grounds.
It is a four-and-a-half-year-old horse named Diya. The injured horse was taken to the district veterinary hospital and is undergoing treatment. The horse was brought to Kollam from Gujarat last week.
The State Minister for Animal Husbandry, J Chinchu Rani, said, “The incident has brought disgrace to the cultural society and the entire state. The offenders will face severe consequences.” Kollam police have registered a case against the six individuals under sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Reportedly, the punishment for such crimes is a mere three months in jail and/or a fine.
Renowned animal rights activists like Maneka Gandhi have not responded to the incident. Are their opinions reserved for citizens who respond when stray dogs attack and maul their young children?
Why didn’t Shanavas arrange a stable or a shelter house for Diya before bringing it to Kerala? Would Hindu devotees have been blamed if the CCTV images had not emerged? Will Kollam police look into the conspiracy angle?
