Kolkata (July 31,2023) : The death of a horse in Kolkata has raised questions about the welfare of animals used for tourist rides in the city. The horse, which was being used to pull a carriage in the Maidan area, collapsed and died on July 29. This is not the first time that there have been concerns about the treatment of horses in Kolkata. In 2021, two animal welfare organizations filed a petition in the High Court asking for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in the city. The court appointed a committee to assess the condition of the horses, but the committee's report was inconclusive.
The death of the horse has renewed calls for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Kolkata. Animal welfare activists argue that the horses are often overworked and underfed, and that they are not given adequate veterinary care. They also point out that the carriages are often overcrowded, which can be dangerous for the horses.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has said that it is taking steps to improve the welfare of the horses. The KMC has appointed a new committee to assess the condition of the horses, and it has also said that it will provide the horses with better food and water. However, animal welfare activists say that these measures are not enough. They argue that the only way to ensure the safety and welfare of the horses is to ban horse-drawn carriages in Kolkata altogether.