Stray horses in Ooty fitted with chips to curb off-season menace

Coimbatore

As many as 13 horses found wandering on arterial roads, disrupting the free movement of vehicles, were seized in a drive carried out by multiple teams at different places in Ooty, said sources in the civic body.

These horses were mostly used for rides during peak tourist season in the hill station. As the season has ended, the owners are unable to spend for their maintenance and leave them to wander around major localities. The horses feed on garbage and left over eatables.

After numerous complaints demanding action against the owners of the animals, District Collector Innocent Divya ordered the officials to carry out the drive. The 13 stray horses were seized and injected with microchips with stored information like unique number, owner of the animal, its breed and age.

It enables the police and local authorities to trace owners of the animals so that the repeat offenders can be punished severely. Ooty Municipality Commissioner Narayanan said that the horses would be handed over to an animal shelter at Mavanella if the owners do not come to take them.

Only two owners came in search of their horses and they were slapped with a fine of Rs 500 each, said the officials. Meanwhile, the local public sought the administration to carry out the drive frequently to prevent domestic animals from wandering on roads.

The MunicipalityCommissioner also warned of strict action against those who let loose their cattleon roads.

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