Srinagar, Feb 14: Animal Rescue Kashmir (ARK), an animal rights organisation, has filed a complaint accusing several individuals of mistreating and exploiting abandoned horses in the valley.
Dawood Mohammad, the director of ARK, told Rising Kashmir that while they have not yet filed a formal First Information Report (FIR), they have written a letter to the Cyber Police, urging them to take necessary action to stop the ongoing abuse of animals in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Baramulla, and other areas.
“We have noticed that the culprits involved in abusing horses are mostly minors. These young individuals are influenced by videos shared on social media,” said Dawood. He added that the Cyber Police should counsel the minors involved, as many are not fully aware of the cruelty they are causing to these animals.
The problem is particularly severe during the winter months when people abandon their horses. “Many horse owners leave their animals behind to save money on feeding and caring for them,” Dawood explained. This neglect often leads to serious issues, including damage to crops like mustard seeds, which angers farmers and contributes to further mistreatment of the horses.
“The horses are left without food and water for long periods, sometimes tied up with their legs bound. This is heartbreaking to see,” said Dawood. He stressed that such actions are cruel and should not be allowed to continue.
In addition to abandonment, ARK has reported severe abuse. Many horses are ridden in a way that causes them pain and distress. “We’ve seen videos where young people tie the horses’ mouths with nylon strings, which is painful and inhumane,” Dawood said. These videos, often shared on social media, show youths performing dangerous stunts on the horses. These stunts can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death for the animals.
The cruelty also extends beyond physical abuse. “The horses are often tied up for long periods without any food or water, which is a clear violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960,” Dawood pointed out. He urged that such activities should be investigated, and the individuals responsible should be held accountable.
ARK has requested the government to implement measures to ensure that horse owners are identified and held responsible for caring for their animals. “We also urge that the horses be properly tagged with identification so that the owners can be traced and appropriate action can be taken,” said Dawood.
