Kolkata: A disturbing incident involving a horse collapsing on a busy Kolkata street has triggered widespread anger and reignited the debate around the treatment of working animals in urban India.
The video, shared widely on social media, shows the emaciated animal collapsing due to extreme heat and exhaustion, while its handler is seen hitting and dragging it instead of offering help.
The footage, originally posted by animal rights group PETA India, quickly went viral and drew reactions from activists, celebrities, and concerned citizens alike.
Have a look at it here:
PETA, Celebrities Demand Ban on Carriage Horses
PETA India, while sharing the video on X, appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other authorities to intervene. “Horses who are severely underweight, dehydrated, and in pain are not a tourist attraction,” the group wrote, urging a shift to e-vehicles as a humane alternative.
Actor Pooja Bhatt echoed the call in a strongly worded post, saying, “Heartbreaking. A horse collapses on Kolkata’s streets from heat & exhaustion & is pushed to continue... Beseech you'll ban these cruel horse-drawn carriages & switch to humane, progressive e-carriages.”
Social media users also expressed their outrage. “This is damn cruel! Are they even feeding the horse?” one user asked, while another called for strict punishment by saying, “Such people should be punished without mercy.”
FIR Registered, Horse Under Veterinary Care
Following the backlash, Kolkata Police confirmed that a case has been filed against the horse’s handler. “Over the incident, Bhowanipore PS has registered the FIR on 24.04.2025… under proper sections of law of BNS & PCA Act on PETA’s complaint,” the police said in a statement on X.
Authorities further assured that the horse is now under medical supervision and receiving regular veterinary treatment. In response, PETA later thanked the police for swift action, adding, “Nobody should have to endure such cruelty!
