Kentucky resident 54-year-old Tim Mahoney travelled over 12,000 km to Dehradun — at his own expense — just to deliver a prosthetic limb for the injured police horse Shaktimaan after seeing a Facebook post seeking help. Shaktiman, the horse underwent an amputation last month after he suffered multiple fractures to his left hind leg after it was ruthlessly attacked by a lawmaker Mr. Ganesh Joshi on March 14. The attack triggered nationwide outrage leading to arrest of Joshi, who claimed he was not involved in the incident. The incident sparked a social media outrage and also rallied for people who sympathized to help in whatever way they. It was one of these efforts that saw Mr. Mahoney to make this long journey to help Shaktiman.
Plea to save Shaktimaan
Artificial limb expert Jamie Vaughan, who was treating Shaktiman, had posted on Facebook the requirement of a prosthetic limb that has to be couriered from Virginia and would take eight to 10 days to reach Dehradun. She also asked if anyone travelling to India would be willing to carry the leg along. Mahoney stumbled upon the post and thought of taking the responsibility.
A touching gesture from the American
Mahoney — a retired employee of Bank of America — felt the need to travel for the sole purpose of delivering the leg for the helpless animal. From Kentucky, he went to Virginia to collect the prosthetic leg and then he flew to New York. From there he came to New Delhi on April 8 and the next day he reached Dehradun. The prosthetic leg was fitted on the same day. Mahoney had visited India six times earlier for professional reasons. But this was his first personal visit. He said that this was his most memorable visit till now.
The Logical Indian appreciates the efforts taken by Mr. Jamie Vaughan, Mr. Tim Mahoney and all the other volunteers on the ground and social media who had raised their voice, spent their time and showered their love for the sake of Shaktiman.
