A 48-year-old domestic worker, M. Annalakshmi, was bitten by a stray horse at Edayarpalayam in Coimbatore on Saturday morning. She was on her way to work when the incident occurred.
“I stepped out around 7 a.m. and a horse was standing nearby. When I turned to get on my two-wheeler, it bit me. I was in severe pain and rushed to a private clinic for first aid and an injection. Since the injection was costly, I’ve decided to continue treatment at a government hospital,” she said, and sought assistance from the government for her medical expenses.
Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said necessary medical support would be provided. “As per existing practice, the animal will be captured, and the owner will be asked to come forward to claim it. Further steps will be taken to reduce the presence of stray horses in public areas,” he said, adding that there is currently no official count of stray horses in the city.
V. Balakrishnan, Cruelty Inspector at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said that when the SPCA managed stray animal control, horses and cows were regularly captured and owners fined. “For nearly two decades now, since the Corporation took over, no strict measures are in place. Horse bites are serious, and the risk of rabies is high,” he said.
He added that stray horses are commonly seen in Kavundampalayam, Edayarpalayam, Saibaba Colony and Vellakinar Pirivu. “Since 2022, 112 horses have been rescued from accidents. Without stricter control, this could become another stray dog situation,” he warned.
