A heartbreaking video of a severely dehydrated horse collapsing on a Kolkata street has sparked nationwide anger and raised urgent questions about animal welfare in India’s cities. The clip, shared widely by animal rights group PETA India, shows the emaciated animal struggling under Kolkata’s scorching heat before collapsing while pulling a carriage. Even after its collapse, the handler is seen slapping, shouting at, and dragging the horse, igniting outrage on social media.
What Happened?
The video, first posted online in late April 2025, captures the horse’s distress as it succumbs to heatstroke and exhaustion. Eyewitnesses and activists noted the animal appeared malnourished, with visible ribs and labored breathing. Despite its condition, the handler forcibly tried to make it stand and continue working. Kolkata Police later confirmed the horse is now under veterinary care, while the handler faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.
Public Outrage and Celebrity Reactions
Social media erupted with demands for action, with actor Pooja Bhatt urging West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ban horse-drawn carriages. “Heartbreaking. A horse collapses on Kolkata’s streets from heat & exhaustion & is pushed to continue,” she tweeted, advocating for electric carriages instead. Thousands echoed her call, with users condemning the handler’s “cruelty” and demanding stricter laws.
The Bigger Problem: Working Animals in Cities
This incident isn’t isolated. In 2024 alone, at least eight horses died in Kolkata due to similar neglect, according to PETA and the CAPE Foundation. Investigations frequently find carriage horses suffering from anemia, malnutrition, and untreated injuries, exacerbated by extreme weather and overwork. Animal rights groups argue that outdated transport methods, like horse carriages, have no place in modern cities where alternatives like e-vehicles exist.
What’s Being Done?
Kolkata Police registered an FIR against the handler on April 24, 2025, after PETA’s complaint. However, activists stress that legal action alone isn’t enough. “Horses who are severely underweight, dehydrated, and in pain are not a tourist attraction,” PETA India emphasized, calling for a complete ban on animal-drawn carriages. Some netizens have proposed rehabilitating affected horses in sanctuaries and compensating handlers who switch to eco-friendly transport.
While the handler’s actions are indefensible, the issue isn’t black and white. Many carriage owners rely on these animals for their livelihood, often lacking resources to provide proper care. However, this doesn’t excuse negligence. The incident highlights the need for systemic solutions, such as government-backed transitions to electric carriages and welfare training for handlers.
What Can You Do?
Citizens can support animal welfare NGOs, report abuse to local authorities, and avoid services that exploit animals. As public pressure mounts, policymakers may finally prioritize reforms to protect both animals and livelihoods.
The Road Ahead
The Kolkata horse collapse is a grim reminder of how far India’s animal welfare laws still need to go. While the FIR is a step forward, lasting change requires stricter enforcement, public awareness, and humane alternatives to outdated practices. For now, the world is watching to see if this incident becomes a turning point or just another forgotten tragedy.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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