Thackersey Group Transforms Lives of Ten Families and Animals Through Support of E-Rickshaw Initiative
PETA India’s Delhi Mechanisation Project continues to achieve remarkable milestones. Previous successes include making the Assam Timber Market in Nangloi, Delhi, entirely animal-free to marking the historic transition of the 150th animal rescued from a life of relentless labour, a significant event, attended by Aam Aadmi Party Councillor Shivani Panchal.
Now, in yet another progressive move, through the sponsorship of the Thackersey Group, PETA India has successfully facilitated the rehabilitation and retirement of 10 more bulls and horses, ensuring they live out their days in peace at a sanctuary. The former animal cart owners received keys to their brand-new electric vehicles, enabling them to continue their livelihood without contributing to animal labour. Previous beneficiaries shared touching testimonials about how their income and social status have improved since switching to an e-rickshaw.
The bulls, horses, and other equines rescued by PETA India live in peace at sanctuaries. Apart from access to good-quality food and water, daily check-ups, and veterinary care, the rescued animals have a safe and calm environment, free from abuse and stressful situations. Their surroundings suit their needs, enabling them to freely express their natural behaviours, such as socializing, foraging, and exploring, in an environment that supports their well-being.
The initiative symbolises PETA India’s commitment to ending animal exploitation and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Hundreds of bulls and horses continue to ply slow-moving carts and tongas in Delhi, posing a traffic hazard and a danger to public health and the environment, including through the presence of dung and the carcasses of animals who died in the trade. Even though Resolution No 590, dated 4 January 2010, passed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi prohibits the use of horse-drawn tongas in the city, such exploitation continues.
PETA India’s Delhi Mechanisation Project – is a winner of the Giving Economy Changemakers Award.
Recently, the National Research Centre on Equines of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR-NRCE) identified three samples collected by PETA India from horses used illegally to ply tongas in Azadpur Mandi in Delhi as positive for glanders, a dangerous zoonotic disease that’s potentially fatal in humans.
Equines and bulls are often forced to work even when they are sick or injured. Handlers use whips, painful nose ropes, and spiked bits to force them to haul overloaded carts. The animals are denied access to proper nutrition, adequate water, and shade from the blazing sun. They are typically worked until death and given no veterinary care for common painful health concerns, including wounds, abscesses, muscle and joint ailments, cancer, blindness, and yoke gall.
