Horse dies after hit by car in Kochi; case against 'drunken' rider

Kochi: A horse, severely injured in a collision with a car on Container Terminal Road in Kochi late Saturday night, died while being shifted for treatment. The accident happened around 10.30 pm on the stretch towards Kalamassery.

The rider, identified as Fadhahudheen, was intoxicated and lost control of the animal. Instead of guiding the horse safely along the road, he abruptly steered it into the path of an oncoming car, resulting in a violent crash. The horse, a 4.5-year-old male, suffered grave injuries, including multiple fractures.

Police and veterinary doctors rushed to the scene, lifted the immobile animal, and arranged transport to the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University hospital at Mannuthy, Thrissur. However, it succumbed to its injuries en route, said Cheranalloor Sub Inspector Sunil G.

Cheranalloor police registered a case based on the complaint of car owner Jose George. Fadhahudheen has been booked under Section 120(j) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011 (negligence while handling an animal or vehicle) and Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (failing to prevent probable danger caused by an animal).

According to police, the horse belonged to one of Fadhahudheen’s relatives, Nadhir, who had raised it since it was young. A video from the scene, showing the damaged car and the bleeding horse struggling on the ground, has gone viral, sparking outrage against the rider on social media.

The carcass of the horse will be disposed of in consultation with its owner, police said.