Animal Welfare Board s warning

Performing animals that are used for shooting films or commercial videos should be registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) prior to the shooting. This rule will be strictly enforced from next month.

AWBI has issued a warning to producers that stringent action would be taken against those who fail to comply with this rule.

Rule 7 of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001 stipulates that every owner wanting to hire out or lend a performing animal for the making of a film or an advertisement should apply to the Animal Welfare Board seeking prior permission.

From next month the rule will be strictly implemented and the Board will not accept films or commercial videos in which animals are used after shooting them without seeking prior permission from the board, Dr V.N. Appaji Rao, vice-chairman of AWBI, told media persons.

If any film crew is found filming animals without the prior permission of the board, it would object to the release of the film by issuing a letter of objection to the Censor Board.

Animal welfare organizations and NGOs will be enlisted to keep tabs and ensure that the animals are taken care of during shootings. Any cruelty to animals during the shooting will be viewed seriously and cases will be registered against the persons concerned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

The AWBI has issued a notification bringing the issue of registering the performing animals to the notice of the film-makers as well as those who hire or own performing animals.

Dr. Appaji Rao pointed out that the notification made it clear that no request for issue of registration certificate would be entertained by AWBI from December for completed films.