Ludhiana, May 26 : It is said everything that belongs to a VIP can be newsworthy. And, this seemed true recently when two rare pigmy ponies owned by Sukhbir Singh Badal, the son of Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, were struck down with viral fever.

Their VIP status ensured that the ponies received due attention and attraction at the medical facility where they were being treated. A team of senior veterinarians attended to the ponies, but when their condition deteriorated further, they were rushed to Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University for advanced treatment.

"It is amongst one of rarest varieties of horses. There are only six in India. Our sir (Badal) got them imported from outside. Two of them were ill. So, I brought them here at night," said Rajinder Singh, chauffeur-cum-syce of Sukhbir Singh Badal.

With the timely VIP attention of expert veterinarians at the hospital, the ponies are reportedly improving.

"These ponies were brought yesterday to our clinic. One is aged around one and a half years. It belongs to our Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal. He owns six such ponies and has imported them from Dubai. This species are not much in the world. They were suffering from fever and anaemia due to lack of blood. The investigations are going on and we will do the treatment accordingly," observed Dr. Kirti Dua, one of the veterinary doctors.

It is believed that only 200 to 250 of this breed exist in the world, and six them worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, live and graze on a stud farm owned by Badal.

Badal is known for living the high life, and particularly known for providing care bordering on royalty where his pets are concerned. (ANI)