Mute offenders: The municipality says the stray cattle will be handed over to the government-run shelter. | Photo Credit: S. S Kumar more-in The Puducherry Municipality has impounded nine stray cattle and imposed a fine of up to ?21,000 on their owner. According to K. Coumarane, veterinary medical officer, the municipality staff on Wednesday night impounded five buffaloes and four buffalo calves. “The cattle owner hailing from Muthialpet was fined ?21,000. Last week, Puducherry Municipality has increased the fine from ?500 to ?4,300 in case of a buffalo and ?4,200 for a cow,” he said. Last year, a government order was passed declaring the boulevard area covering Goubert Street (east), Sardar Patel Street (north), Annal Salai (west) and Subbaiah Salai (south) a cattle-free zone. It comprises Beach Road, Raj Nivas, Assembly Hall, temples, churches and mosques, Chief Secretariat, museum, market places and so on. The order restricts the movement of the stray cattle (cows, bulls, bullocks and buffaloes) within boulevard area. “Any violation of this notification is noticed, appropriate action will be taken against defaulter under Section 449 of the Municipalities Act, 1973, in force and the stray cattle confiscated by Puducherry Municipality will be handed over to the government recognised goushala, in Tamil Nadu or Puducherry permanently,” says the order. Dr. Coumarane added that if the cattle were found straying outside the boulevard area, a fine would be imposed on the cattle owner. For cow or ox or heifer, a fine of ?4,280 would be charged. “A fine of ?3,960 will be charged if a calf is found straying on the street, ?4,300 for a buffalo and ?4,020 for a buffalo calf,” he said. The Puducherry municipality will soon implant microchip for pet dogs. This initiative is likely to begin next week.

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