MUMBAI: The Kherwadi police station in Bandra (east) seized two young horses which were used in a political rally organized by the Indian National Congress party on Thursday, to protest against the increasing fuel prices . People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India assisted the police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the horses' custodians under Sections 3 and 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act , 1960, for treating the weak and exhausted animals cruelly.PETA activists informed that the people at the political rally were turn by turn sitting on the exhausted horses, forcing them to walk under the scorching sun for hours without food, water and shade; while the custodians of the horses were constantly kicking them to force them walk with the people sitting on them and taking pictures. Both the rescued horses were transported to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) cattle pound in Malad for immediate medical examination and veterinary care.Earlier this week, after PETA India 's complaint to the Mumbai police about two malnourished and very thin horses in Nariman Point , who have visible ribs and backbones and are injured, the Cuffe Parade police filed an FIR against the horses' custodians and also transported the animals to the BMC cattle pound."Keeping horses in Mumbai is illegal, and using them in rallies and protests is also not allowed, besides being highly cruel," said PETA India Emergency Response Coordinator, Meet Ashar. "Political parties must stick to eye-catching and creative protests that don't subject animals to frightening, frenetic crowds. PETA India is working with the police and BMC to get neglected horses the care they need," he added.Following an appeal in 2012 by PETA India – whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way" -- the Election Commission of India had issued a directive to all political parties asking them to refrain from using animals for political campaigns. In 2015, following a meeting with PETA India, the student wing of the Indian National Congress, National Students' Union of India (NSUI), issued a circular to all its units in India directing them to "refrain from using any animals as part of any NSUI rally, protest or any other purpose.In June 2015, the high court of Bombay ruled that housing horses in stables not licensed by BMC and using horse-drawn carriages, or Victorias, in Mumbai for so-called "joy rides" is "completely illegal". In July 2017, the High Court accepted the rehabilitation plan submitted by the Maharashtra government for horse-drawn carriage owners and drivers, allowing horses to be removed from Mumbai roads and drivers to receive a payment and/or a vendor license, thus ensuring their livelihood. PETA India sent a letter earlier this month urging Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, D K Jain, to implement this plan immediately by ensuring that the BMC receives the necessary funds, as approved by the state government.

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