No 'Victoria' rides after a year

Observing that horse-drawn carriages, famously known as 'Victoria' carriages, <g data-gr-id="24">plying</g> in the city were "illegal and violative of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act", the Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ban them after a year.

A division Bench of Justices AS Oka and AK Menon was hearing a PIL filed by a city-based NGO, Animals and Birds Charitable Trust, alleging cruelty to horses by using them for joyrides. 

The high court has directed all authorities to ensure that use of horse-drawn carriages and/or <g data-gr-id="18">victorias</g> in Mumbai shall be completely stopped after a year.

"We hold that the use of horse-driven carriages/Victorias in Mumbai for joyrides is completely illegal. The activity of using horse-driven carriages only for joyrides solely for human pleasure is an avoidable activity. Horse-driven carriages only for joyrides is violative of Section 3 and 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act," the bench said.

The court has also directed that all <g data-gr-id="17">stables</g> meant for horses in the city be closed down after a year. 

Taking into account the fact that around 700 families are dependent of this business of Victoria carriages, the court has asked the state government to formulate a scheme for rehabilitation of these families.