Date:24/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/24/stories/2008052459670400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Camel seized, caretaker fined

R. Sujatha

Caretaker did not have the required certificates for keeping the animal

— PHOTO: V. Ganesan

in safe hands: The camel brought to the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Vepery in Chennai on Friday.

CHENNAI: A camel and its caretaker found on Kamarajar Salai were brought to the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Vepery by police officials, after they found that the caretaker did not have the required certificates for keeping the animal.

The caretaker of the seized camel was produced before the XXII metropolitan magistrate mobile court and fined Rs. 150.

The animal is now at the SPCA and is cared for by the organisation.

The SPCA has received a letter from the secretary of Animal Welfare Board of India that two dozen camels had been brought into the city from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for joy ride at places such as the Marina Beach, the island ground exhibition and Retteri near Padi.

The SPCA has been instructed to verify if the animal owner/caretaker has the valid transportation certificate as per rule 96 of Transport of Animal Rules, 2001, fitness certificate from a registered veterinary doctor in Chennai, if they are sheltered properly with provision for feed, fodder and water, if the animals are used during day time and if the owners/caretakers have registered the animals as per the provision of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001.