Udhagamandalam: The death of six race horses, killed on the spot after the float carrying them toppled near Ulundurpet on Tuesday, has brought to the fore concerns over safety when transporting animals.
The said horse float was not provided with
a
beacon or a siren to give the vehicle right of way and there were no escort vehicles in the front and rear. According to animal activists, animal floats must have the same privileges that ambulances have.
"Why are animal floats not given the same privileges that we have," asked Sudhir Kulkarni, an activist. Even though the owners may have insured their animals, they must ensure their safety while transporting them, he added. Quadruped mammals do not have knees to absorb shocks. They are mortally wounded or die instantly.
According to Kulkarni, the traffic department and district administration must intervene to put in place rules to ensure the safety of animals. Accidental death of animals due to negligence of the stakeholder is nothing less than criminal. Owners should take more care apart from just insurance.
"Horses are very useful in large estates where jeeps pollute and spoil the landscape. Racing should only be for fun. It should not be conducted as a business. Though it was the sport of kings once upon a time, the poor animals are being compromised to entertain people," he added.
However, Fahad Khan, who jointly owned the six horses with Whyan Beck told TOI, "We have registered a complaint with the local police station in Ulundhurpet. All the six horses were not insured as they were bought on cash from the racing circuit from different people. Only horses bought under the loan-scheme are insured".
According to Khan, there had never been such float accidents in the past while transporting race horses. "Of course, there are provisions to consider the horse float a complete ambulance with beacon, siren and right of way while on the move. In future, we will certainly comply with all the provisions required for a float on the move," he said.