Film them ‘right’

These rules apply to animals in films, TV serials and advertisement:

Every application by a person desirous of exhibiting or training any performing animal for registration under the Act shall be in the form and shall contain the particulars set out in the first Schedule. Every application for registration shall be accompanied by a fee of Rupees five hundred which may be paid either in cash or in such other manner as may be specified by the Board for this purpose.

Every owner desirous of hiring out or lending a performing animal in the making of a film shall give prior information in the format as specified by the prescribed authority for this purpose to specifying the kind of animal, age of animal, physical health of the animal, the nature of performance to be done by the animal, the duration for which the animal shall be used for such performance, the duration and method of training of the animal for such performance and justification for the use of such animals in the film and such other information as may be required by that authority.

Every such application shall be accompanied by a fitness certificate issued by a veterinary doctor certifying the health and fitness of the animal along with a ownership certificate in case of animals covered under the wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972).

Every owner who has ten or more such performing animals shall have a veterinarian as a regular employee for their care treatment and transport. The owner shall not transport such animals by road continuously for more than eight hours and except in cages admeasuring as specified in the Fifth Schedule; 

The owner after transportation shall provide feeding and retiring enclosures in respect of the animal specified in the Sixth Schedule;

The owner shall ensure that any animal is no inflicted unnecessary pain or suffering before or during or after its training or exhibition;

The owner shall not deprive the animal of food or water in order to compel the said animal to train or perform any trick;

The owner shall not subject the animals to a action which may either kill or injure or use the animal in scenes which may cause injury to the animals;

The owner shall not use any tripping device wires or pitfalls for such animals;

The owner shall not expose any animal to either burning fire or to fire accidents;

The owner shall not keep any animal including horses in close proximity while shooting scenes involving explosives or other loud noises;

The owner shall ensure that the equines are made to walk on hard surfaces without being shoed and shall further ensure that the animals are used in downhill slides or rodeo slide stops wit proper skid and hock boots;

The owner shall ensure that large gathering of animals is not allowed in such a way which may cause or result in stampede to the animals;

The owner shall ensure that the animal is not made or incited to fight against other animals and shall further ensure that sedatives or tranquillisers or steroids or any other artificial enhancers are not administered to or inserted in any animal except the anaesthesia by a veterinary doctor for the purpose of treatment of an injured or sick animal;

The owner shall ensure that while using an animal in shooting a film, the fight sequence shall not be shot in any livestock holding area including poultry area and shall further ensure that no birds are 15 shown in cages;

The owner shall inform the prescribed authority at least four weeks in advance informing the place, date and time of the actual making of the film wherein the animal is to be used

The prescribed authority may also impose such other conditions for the grant of registration as may be deemed appropriate to it for the welfare of animals.

Every person to whom a certificate of registration is issued under these rules shall have his name entered in a register which shall be kept in the form set out in the Third Schedule.

Prohibition on exhibition and training of specified performing animals - Performing animals whose performance has been prohibited under sub section (2) of section 22 of the Act shall not be trained or exhibited as a performing animal.

The prescribed authority may depute an officer or authorise any other person, to inspect the mode of transport, care and upkeep of the animals, or to be present at the time of training or exhibition of the performing animals or during making of a film to ensure that the conditions of registration are being complied with.

The owner shall not obstruct the entry of such officer or authorised person and extend all possible assistance to enable him to discharge his duty.

Report of inspection - The officer deputed or person authorised under rule 14 shall after inspection submit a report to the prescribed authority about the compliance of the rules and the conditions as specified by the prescribed authority.