Wednesday, August 12, 2009 . City . Page 8
Finally, after two months of investigations, the police have arrested Robert, the owner of the horses which fell to their death from the Andheri flyover on June 14. He has been charged with cruelty to the animals.
A Mumbai-based NGO, PAWS-Mumbai, that is the complainant in the case, has alleged that it had provided all evidence to the Andheri police, which pointed to the owner as being responsible for the death of the horses, but even then it took more than two months to nab the accused.
It may be recalled that on June 14, at around 2.45 pm, eye-witness saw two horses tumble from the Andheri flyover. Interestingly, no one informed the police of the incident. However, a Mumbai-based NGO, on learning of the incident, took the initiative and filed a complaint at the Andheri Police Station.
It later became known that Robert had buried one horse, while the other was admitted to the Parel’s Animal Hospital where it died because of the injuries suffered in the fall.
With the police remaining largely inactive, the NGO went to the Animal Welfare Board which then wrote to the Mumbai Police Commissioner insisting on an enquiry in the matter. The police had to finally nab Robert from his Andheri residence.
Sunish Subramanian, head of NGO said, “It is a big win for our team.”
According to A.A. Sonawane, Investigation officer, from Andheri Police station, “After investigation we found that Robert was responsible for death of both horses and have arrested him under Section 11A (1)(2) of Prevention of Cruelty of Animal Act, 1960.”
