Microchipping of horses to begin in city to prevent cruelty to animals in tourist places

Chennai Corporation Council on Friday passed a resolution for micro chipping of horses in beaches and other parts of the city, following a request from the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB).

The TNAWB in a letter dated February 12, has written to the Chennai Corporation, alleging that the animals were being subjected to cruelty. The TNAWB has asked GCC to start registration of horses and donkeys in the city. Following complaints about overworking horses in tourist areas such as Marina beach, the civic body has planned to study the issue of cruelty against animals in tourist areas, regulate the trade and prevent unlicensed animals from being used for horse riding in tourist areas. GCC will also conduct a meeting with TNAWB next week to prevent abuse of animals in tourist places and at marriage events in various parts of the city.

According to estimates, city beaches have 300 horses in various zones of the city. The TNAWB has requested GCC to prevent horse riding from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the city beaches. Before licensing of horses, the owner has to provide 144 sq. ft. space of shelter for each animal. The owner has to vaccinate the animals before licensing and microchipping the horses. The veterinary official will provide licencing only after obtaining fitness certificate for the animal. The licencing of horses will be done free of cost.

Starting March 29, 2026, the GCC will prevent riding of unlicensed horses in Marina beach, Besant Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur.  Work on microchipping of cattle is under way. The project to prevent cattle from roaming the beaches will be taken up shortly. “GCC is building a cow shelter in Krishnampet. The cows that roam the Marina beach will be housed in the Krishnampet shelter,” said an official.