The goat's owner, Aslu, filed the complaint on Thursday

In an incident that has infuriated animal rights activists, a man in Haryana has filed a police complaint alleging that his farm goat was "abused" by eight men.

The police said all the accused are on the run. The goat's owner, Aslu, filed the complaint on Thursday.

Police officer Rajbir Singh said they have formed teams to search for the accused, news agency ANI reported.

The owner of the animal said the goat was pregnant.

Animal rights activist Meet Ashar, on a Facebook post, said there has been a steep increase in cases of animal abuse.

"People who are violent often start with animals as victims and then move on to humans. This case should, therefore, worry everyone," said Mr Ashar, a member of animal rights non-profit group PETA.

He said a First Information Report or FIR has been filed under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.