KOLLAM: A five-month-pregnant horse tied up in the temple premises was brutally beaten up by a gang that came on car and scooter. Shanawaz's five-year-old horse, Diya, was attacked. It was learned that the horse, which was found late in the evening, had been beaten up, through the CCTV footage.

The incident happened last day around 4 pm. The horse was tethered in the premises of Thekkekavu Bhagavathi Temple dring daytime. When the horse's caretakers came to untie the horse at dusk, the horse showed discomfort. During the subsequent inspection, bruises were found on the horse. Shocking scenes were seen when Shanawaz arrived and checked the CCTV footage of the temple. The horse was tethered in the temple premises with the permission of the temple officials because there was plenty of grass there.

The attack was done by the group that included the man who tried to untie the horse earlier. One person was holding the horse close to the coconut tree to which it was tied so that the horse could not move, while others were beating the horse with sticks, arms and legs. The horse was beaten again after untying it. The CCTV footage shows one member of the group bending his knee and repeatedly hitting the horse's chest. Some of the locals saw the incident but did not come near fearing the attackers.

On examination at the district veterinary centre in Thevally, the horse was found to have swelling on its chest and legs. There were injuries above the eyes, face and ears. District Animal Welfare Officer Dr D Shinekumar said that the unborn foal is fine and the wounds are healing. The horse was brought from Gujarat six months ago.

Shame for Kerala

Minister J Chinchu Rani said that the incident is an insult to the culture of Kerala and the horse has been given proper treatment. Based on the complaint filed by Shanawas, Iravipuram police registered a case against six persons. The police said that the attack was done by people with criminal records and the search has been intensified for them.