Hindustan Petroleum was allegedly forcing ill-treated animals to carry heavy loads, causing injury and infection, which led to their hospitalisation

An NGO working for the alleviation of animals has dragged Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HP) to court, after discovering that animals roped in to carry loads at a construction site in Sewri were being poorly treated. More than 12 bullocks were found bleeding after being made to shoulder heavy kerosene carts, resulting in injuries that were so grievous that the animals required extended hospitalisation.


Cruel treatment: The yoke laced on the necks of the animals constantly
rubs against their skin, resulting in deep injuries. Pic/Harneet Kaur Bhusari

Simarjeet Saini, trustee of People in Defence of Animals (PIDA), the NGO that rescued the animals from the site, said, "These animals are made to pull heavy kerosene carts. These carts weigh more than what animals can bear. Moreover, they are not harnessed properly. They are repeatedly beaten up. The rope passed through their nostrils is so tight that they are unable to breathe. The yoke placed on their necks constantly rubs against their skin, resulting in deep injuries. Their predicament is compounded by the fact that they are given substandard care, unhygenic shelter and improper nourishment. This ill treatment results in serious ailments and in many cases, infection among the beasts."

She continued, "It is inhuman to mete out such cruelty to innocent, mute animals that cannot articulate their feelings. They work in extremely pitiful conditions, and are made to stand for hours under the scorching sun, being denied food and water all the while." Saini revealed that the NGO committee had decided to drag the petroleum company to court, after taking note of the abject condition of the animals. Advocate Nitin V Gangal, who has agreed to represent PIDA at court said, "I was shocked at the way the animals are being treated by the firm. I will fight this case for free. PIDA is doing a great job for these animals, and I will support them
completely."

The hearing is scheduled for April 20. "It's a shame that this is happening in a country like India, where cows are considered equivalent to God. The atrocities go unnoticed by most people. Even when people complain to the police stations, no concrete action is taken. We have filed a case in court. We have already sent the legal notice to the authorities of HP," said Karim Khan, president of PIDA. Khan added that the cruelties these animals were subject to were in violation of the Animal Law of India, passed in 1960, which ensures 'prevention of cruelty to animals'. "We admitted the animals to Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (BSPCA) at Parel, for treatment. They were admitted there for five days,"he said.

Hema for animals
Hema Malini filed a complaint in September 2009 at the Kalyan RTO, in an attempt to prevent torture inflicted on horses. She wanted tonga rides to be banned in Kalyan. Saini added, "We are going to approach Hema Malini or Shahrukh Khan to support our cause, if that is the only way in which we can get our message across to others."

The Other Side
When contacted, the HP spokesperson said, "No such thing has happened." He refused to comment any further on the matter.