Protest against Pothu poottu

KOCHI: The Idukki unit of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has protested against the proposed pothu poottu (buffalo-race) organised by former PWD Minister P J Joseph-led Gandhiji Study Centre, at Thodupuzha, on Wednesday.

The organisation has sent a letter to the former minister asking whether the race is being conducted according to rules. They have also asked Idukki district administration’s intervention in the matter.

“Even though the Gandhiji Study Centre tries to project the event as part of an agricultural festival, the nature of the competition is of a race. We have prohibited events like cattle-race in the state. Therefore, how can we allow this event?” asks A G Babu, secretary of Idukki SPCA.

The SPCA said that there were certain rules and regulations for transporting animals as prescribed in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

“A veterinary doctor should certify the health of the animal, that it is fit to travel, it has no diseases and it has taken all vaccines. An animal can be transported to another place only after attaining this certificate.

“The owner of the animal should also give a transportation certificate to the driver of the vehicle in which the animal is taken,” Babu said. He said that buffalos would be taken from Malappuram and Palakkad districts for the event.

The SPCA has asked Idukki Collector A J Rajan’s intervention in the matter.

“Buffalo-race is simple violation of Animal Safety Rules. In view of this, the Ernakulam District Collector has banned the cattle-race here. It should also be banned in Idukki,” said Sethumadhavan, secretary, Ernakulam unit of SPCA.