GCC plans to issue licences for horses, construct stables on city beaches

After 36 out of 180 horses disappeared from the city’s beaches over the past year, the civic agencies and the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board have started studying the reasons for the reduction

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) plans to construct stables on beaches in the city and will start issuing licences for horses there. The civic body has not issued licences for horses on the city’s beaches until now. Currently, the GCC issues licences for pets such as dogs.

After 36 out of 180 horses disappeared from the city’s beaches over the past year, the civic agencies and the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board have started studying the reasons for the reduction in the number of horse. Owing to poor maintenance, inadequate feed, and lack of stables on beaches, many horses have reportedly been suffering from various health problem and contagious infections.

Once the stables are constructed on Marina beach and Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar and at Light House, the maintenance of the horses is expected to improve. The GCC will identify land for the facilities at these three locations soon. 

Most of the horse owners reportedly do not have stables and do not maintain and feed their horses, leading to the animals’ death, officials said. The risk of zoonotic diseases, spreading from horses to visitors to the beach, is also expected to reduce after the new system to regulate horses is introduced. Microchips will also be implanted in licenced horses for permanent identification and to monitor the animals’ health.

Published - December 12, 2024 09:55 pm IST