Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
ANIMAL TALK
Regulations for animals used in films
|
Animals can be used in films, but ensure you follow the rules set by Animal Welfare Board of India
|
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY Animal Welfare Board of India aims to ensure that animals are not treated cruelly during filming
The Animal Welfare Board of India, a regulatory government body for the prevention of cruelty to animals, has an important agenda to ensure that animals are not treated cruelly during the use of animals in entertainment and filming. Though the rules have been distributed and notified to the film industry on many occasions, the matter did not come to light until the Central Board of Film Certification was authorised to cut any scene depicting animals or birds unless the producer has a certificate from the Animal Welfare Board of India.
This caused much anguish for industry as the film is ready only hours before the release and the delay causes colossal losses for the producer. Loss was never intended, only implementation of the rules.
My role is to spread clarity and understanding on the rules.
There is no objection to the use of animals, only to how they are used and what is depicted, to avoid unnecessary cruelty to the animals.
Censor certification
Here are the highlights of the rules in my understanding:
The owners/trainers/exhibitors (film director / producer) must write seeking permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India, based in Chennai (not the State Wildlife Board nor the Animal Husbandry Department, as the confusion is common).
Permission must be sought 30 days before the filming giving the scripted part of the scenes where animals are to be used. On confirming the scenes do not involve cruelty to animals, the Animal Welfare Board will send a written permission to the producer for the shooting of the above-mentioned scenes.
The date and venue of the action sequence may be indicated in case the Board finds necessary to send a representative to ensure the rules are being followed. A Certificate of Registration is issued to the producer. This is what he shows the Central Board of Film Certification during censor certification as "No Objection Certificate". In the event of any cruelty during shooting is reported, the certificate will be withdrawn.
There is no need for this procedure or no-objection where the animals are found naturally in nature, like in the atmosphere or background naturally, in zoos or in markets where they have not been brought for the filming but present already, and not used to depict any intended cruelty.
Proof of permission to shoot in these areas is helpful.
What are the cruelties that must be avoided and the law finds objectionable?
Restricted clothing that does not allow natural movement to the animals
Tripping of animals or falling off cliffs
Animals made to run through fire Filming of fight sequences inside poultry farms or animal enclosures where the animals are traumatised and suffer injury
Bomb blasts and explosives around animals
Filming of stunts without trained animals and their trainers
The use of sick or injured or pregnant animals for shooting
The stitching of mouths, or sedation and tranquillising of wild animals / reptiles for filming
The cropping of bird feathers for filming (pigeons, parrots, love birds etc)
The use of all protected and exotic wildlife including dear, peacock and snakes - all except the domesticated animal, the pigeon and the crow!
The use of animals as bait or in animal fights to provoke each other including cockfights and bull fights
Depiction of animals being slaughtered or dead body parts of animals being displayed in a heroic manner
Avoiding cruelty
How does a film producer avoid cruelty when an action sequence is to be filmed with animals?
First and foremost the producer must hire animals from a registered animal trainer who has trained his animals professionally. All animal owners and trainers for films must be registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India. Trained animals can handle the stress of filming and have their owner / trainers to watch over them and ensure their safety. According to the rules all owners / trainers of animals in entertainment and films must register with the Animal Welfare Board of India to ensure that the animals are properly prepared and cared for during the filming. There is a registration fee to be paid and a form to be filled.
The criteria to register an animal for entertainment is:
It should be healthy
It should be housed in a proper place with sufficient feed and water
It should be transported properly with safety measures like padding on the inside of the vehicle if it is a horse or a bull etc.
It cannot be a breeding animal like a pregnant horse or dog etc. It should be trained in a humane manner
It should be protected with adequate measures like fire protecting solutions, cotton in the ears for loud sounds etc, which is the responsibility of the trainer to ensure during action sequences. A VCI registered vet should certify the health and safety of the animal
In all, the rules ensure responsibility of the owner, trainer and exhibitor, as well as the film producer towards the animals ensuring no cruelty is inflicted on the animals due to accident, lack of understanding or lack of preparation.
Assuring immediate clarification regarding the rules in case of any doubt, you are requested to fax a letter of clarification to:
Dr.Khrab (Major General, Retd., VSM),
Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India
or to Dr.Balasubramaniam, Secretary, AWBI
13/1, 3rd Seaward road, Valmiki Nagar,
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041
Fax: 044-24454330
(All information has been taken from the Rules for Animals Used in films, available with the Animal Welfare Board of India and Central Board of Film Certification )
AMALA AKKINENI
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
