Turf club stables squalid, it's cruel to keep horses there: HC

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday asked the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) to state whether it can shift the horses from its squalid stables.

In a report to the court, an officer appointed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) stated that 80% of stables at the club were more than 50 years old and that there was a pressing need to construct state-of-the-art stables. According to the report, a majority of the stables do not follow the AWBI guidelines because of the height, and recommended demolishing old units and reconstructing/repairing them.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka is hearing a PIL petition filed by Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), an animal rights organisation, which has alleged ill-treatment to horses and lack of facilities at the turf club. According to CUPA, about 900 horses at the club are registered under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001.

The court noted that keeping the horses in such stables may amount to cruelty to horses. In its response, the club mentioned three difficulties in implementing the AWBI’s recommendations. It said the Supreme Court had passed a status quo order on the matter and that it would need the state government’s permission to carry out the work. The club explained that it intended to seek financial assistance from the government.

“Thus, prima facie, it appears to us that BTC is exposing the horses to a danger. Prima facie, it also appears to us that there is no possibility of repairing the stables in the near future. Continuing to keep the horses in these stables may amount to cruelty to horses,” the court said and directed the BTC’s counsel to respond on shifting the horses. The next hearing will be on April 1.