No cruelty to animals during Avurudu games

COLOMBO: IGP Chandra Fernando has directed DIGs and the Director-Crimes of the Police to take stern action against persons treating bulls used in racing with cruelty at hackery '(thirikkal) races during New Year festivities.

This follows a request to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by "Sathva Mithra" - Friends of Animals asking Police to act in keeping with the Mahinda Chintana policy that condemns cruelty to animals.

Following the IGP's order, Police will monitor thirikkal events to eliminate cruelty to animals.

It has been pointed out to the President and police that often, carters participating in these races, bent on winning the race, beat the bulls unmercifully, overdriving it, kick its genitals, twist and even bite its tail.

As gambling is involved in these races, some animals failing to win are beaten or stabbed to death by owners.

On appeals by Sathva Mithra and other Animal Rights organisations on earlier occasions to the Police to act against cruelty to animals, police monitored the hackery races for cruelty to bulls and offenders were disqualified from their events.

They were also charged in Court under the Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.