A shocking video surfaced online yesterday evening, January 4, showing an illegal bullock cart race taking place at Mira-Bhayandar Flyover (Golden Nest to Maxus Mall) and Near Bangladesh Ground. Moreover, the bullock cart riders were seen assaulting the animals.
Although Bullock cart racing is a traditional sport, which has been made legal now, this incident has imposed questions on allowance of animal cruelty.
Therefore, citizens demand legal actions against organiser. It was previously banned by the Bombay High Court (HC), but the ban was uplifted by Supreme Court (SC) on December 2021.
Description of the race:
The video, which was recorded by an eyewitness, show bulls being used to pull the bullock carts as they race on the streets. Riders are seen prodding the bulls with long, pointed sticks in an attempt to make them run faster, and motorcycles are seen speeding alongside the bulls. Reports mention that the bulls were given alcohol; however, it has not been confirmed yet.
The bulls are also seen losing their balance and crashing into cars. In one particularly disturbing scene, a bull falls to the ground while being dragged along the road by the other bull.
This has raised important questions about the enforcement of animal cruelty laws in the state of Maharashtra.
Besides, the video of the bullock cart race has also caused outrage among animal rights activists. Animal welfare organisations have long called for a review and update of laws related to animal cruelty, in order to better protect animals and prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future.
Meanwhile, netizens are also demanding for stricter enforcement of animal cruelty laws.
Background:
This is not the first time that an illegal bullock cart race has taken place in the city. According to sources, the illegal bullock cart race in Mira-Bhayandar takes place every December 25. There are also allegations that the organizers have a significant amount of influence in the area.
Just two months ago, a similar incident involving gunfire between two groups occurred in Ambernath in connection with bullock cart racing. These types of illegal and dangerous races not only pose a risk to the animals involved, but also to the public and other drivers on the road.
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