Horse, used for joyride on Kappad beach till recently, falls ill following stray dog bite

Koyilandy: Tourists visiting Kappad Beach were alarmed when a horse they were riding fell ill. The horse had been bitten by a stray dog 15 days ago, along with several other animals, including a cow. The horse had received five vaccinations following the incident, and health department officials had recommended that the caretaker, a Tamil Nadu native, also get vaccinated.

Sathi, the Chemancheri grama panchayat president, stated that both the panchayat and the police had advised the owner against using the horse for riding following the bite. However, local residents claim that the horse was still used for riding during the Onam holidays, with reports of many people from various locations taking horse rides during the festivities.

The horse's health began to deteriorate two days ago. Officials collected the horse's saliva and sent it to a laboratory in Kannur for further testing. Test results are expected in two days.

Health department officials have clarified that only those who had direct contact with the horse's mouth or face need to take precautions, and there is no need for concern among those who rode the horses. They also emphasised that the rumours circulating on social media about the horse's death are untrue.

The horse, owned by a resident of Ooty, has been at Kappad Beach for over two years, where horse riding activities have been carried out allegedly without formal approval from the panchayat.