CHENNAI: After tagging cats and dogs, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has now trained its sights on cattle and buffalos and is set to make licensing mandatory for all owners within city limits and introduce microchipping.
Under the proposed move, aimed at curbing stray cattle menace on roads, improve traceability and enforce accountability, cattle owners will be required to submit application for the licence at zonal veterinary offices.
After field verification by veterinary officers and health inspectors, owners will pay a licence fee of Rs 100. At the time of issuing licences, each animal will be implanted with a microchip, which will have details such as the owner's name, address and cattle identification data.
Application forms will be made available on the GCC website. The corporation plans to procure 25,000 microchips and 25 microchip readers for the purpose. Owners will be given a 45-day window, up to March 18, 2026, to obtain licences.
According to official data, about 22,875 cattle are currently being reared within the GCC limits. A significant number of these animals are found roaming on roads and public spaces, leading to traffic disruption, public safety risks and sanitation concerns.
Earlier, a fine of Rs 10,000 per stray animal was imposed, and cattle were returned only after owners gave an undertaking that they will not allow the animals to roam on roads. In 2024 and 2025 alone, the GCC impounded 4,237 cattle and collected Rs 2.22 crore in fines.
The licensing and microchipping framework is aimed at identifying ownership, preventing repeat violations, and regulating urban cattle rearing, in line with provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Animal Diseases Control Act, 2009, and the Tamil Nadu Keeping of Animals and Birds in Urban Areas Act, 1997.
LICENCE PROCESS
Cattle owners will have to submit application for the licence at zonal veterinary offices
After field verification by veterinary officers and health inspectors, owners will pay a licence fee of Rs 100
At the time of issuing licences, each animal will be implanted with a microchip
The GCC plans to procure 25,000 microchips and 25 microchip readers for the purpose
Owners will be given a 45-day window, up to March 18, 2026, to obtain licences