Maharashtra: Sangli Police Take Action Against Illegal Horse Cart Race; Prevent Donkey Race

Sangli, 10th March 2025: The Sangli City Police have registered an FIR against five individuals for organizing an illegal 65-km horse cart race from Chinchali, Belagavi, to Sangalwadi, Sangli, on February 17. The race, conducted amid a large crowd on two-wheelers, was exposed following a complaint by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, which led to police action.

Additionally, authorities thwarted an illegal donkey race scheduled for February 27 on Kadamwadi Road in Sangli after spotting a promotional poster. Acting swiftly, Sangli police and the Sangli Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) intervened, ensuring that the event did not take place.

Following complaints submitted to Sangli Superintendent of Police Sandip Ghuge (IPS) and Inspector General of Police (Kolhapur Range) Sunil Phulari (IPS), an FIR was filed under Sections 223, 281, 285, and 135 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Section 11(1)(a) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Authorities are now working to seize all eight horses used in the illegal race.

“We appreciate the swift action taken by the Sangli police in ensuring that animal cruelty does not go unchecked,” said Saloni Sakaria, Lead Cruelty Response Coordinator at PETA India. “The suffering these horses endure during such races is unimaginable. We are urging authorities to immediately rescue the animals involved and hold the perpetrators accountable.”

Horses used in illegal races often suffer severe injuries due to excessive whipping and forceful handling. In some cases, they even experience lung hemorrhages due to extreme exertion. In a similar case, the Rajasthan High Court banned tonga races in 2016 after a report from the Animal Welfare Board of India highlighted the distress caused to horses when forced to run amid loud noise and chaotic traffic.

The Sangli police and SPCA have assured continued vigilance against such incidents to prevent further cruelty towards animals.