I am not liable for attack on boy

Horse owner and trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj insisted yesterday that he is not liable for an incident at his horse farm at Cunupia in which the left arm of a seven-year-old boy was was ripped off by a stallion. In an interview with Newsday, Maharaj said that the child trespassed on private property and was pelting the horse with stones when the incident occurred. He has placed the matter in the hands of his lawyers. Maharaj said that on Februray 20, the employees at the farm locked the gate leading to the stud farm at William Trace, off Ragoonanan Road and left the premises. The driver of the van transporting feed to the farm forgot to lock the gate.

He said that from what he learned David Sinanan, his brothers Shiva Khan,12, and Ronnie, nine, sneaked into the farm and began pelting the stallion “Java In Flight.” He said that the boys also attempted to touch the stallion but he was provoked from the pelting and seeing another stallion serving a mare, which resulted in the the left arm of David being ripped off. Maharaj said that while he is sorry that the child lost his limb, he feels that the parents of the children should have spoken to them about the dangers of trespassing on private property. He said that one day after the incident, a relative of the boy armed himself with a cutlass and made attempts to chop “Java In Flight.” The relative was prevented from doing so. Maharaj admitted that other children from Ragoonanan Road, Cunupia, often snaek into the 16 acre stud farm to look at the horse but security was put in place to prevent this from happening again. The farm has been in existence for the past 10 years. He said that his stallion was given to him as a gift and the horse won one race. It developed a problem and was moved to the stud farm. “Java In Flight” is a very friendly stallion but when provoked it is natural and normal for him to react,” said Maharaj. The father of seven said that he is not a heartless person and is concerned about the pain suffered by Sinanan but reiterated that the matter is in the hands of his lawyers.

On Monday, David Sinanan underwent surgery at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex to close off the stump. He received blood last Thursday for the surgery to be carried out. Relatives of the boy said yesterday that he is recuperating and is expected to be released from hospital next week. Members of the public have started contributing to a fund to assist the family in purchasing an artificial left hand for David. Several people also visit David at hospital and offer counselling. Newsday learned that a Port-of-Spain attorney has decided to represent the family in the matter free of charge.