Horse deaths: CUPA moves high court

Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), a city-based animal welfare group approached the Karnataka High Court challenging ill-treatment of horses by the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC).

In the last six months, over 40 horses have died at the club due to ill treatment, says CUPA. The court, in response, issued notices to respondents including the BTC and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).

The organisation has sought court's direction to AWBI to conduct an independent enquiry in the turf club and cancel registration of horses whose upkeep is not in accordance with Rule 8 of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001.

Petitioner further states there are violations by the club -- close to 800 stables being undersized and in a state of disrepair, unsanitary areas around stables, poor condition of interior roadways, excessive whipping of horses during races and food and water being withheld from horses to improve their performance among others.

The petitioner also said injured horses are made to race.