Seven stray ponies captured by civic body

Coimbatore: The corporation on Saturday caught seven ponies roaming and impeding traffic on roads in and around Selvapuram.
The animals were shifted to VOC Zoo temporarily. The animals will be handed over to owners after collecting a fine when they come claiming for them, officials said.
The zoo officials will determine the penalty amount based on the number of animals and reason for allowing the animals to stray, a zoo official said, adding that the repeat offenders will be made to cough up more money compared to first-time offenders.
The animals would be sent to shelter, if no one shows up claiming them, the official added.
Corporation officals said the animals were impounded after they received several complaints from motorists. “Though there is no casualty in accidents with the animals involved recently, we decided to act on the complaints and sent a team to capture ponies roaming on streets. At the end of day, the team was able to catch seven ponies,” a corporation official said.
Officials said the animals were mostly used during marriage ceremonies and owners are relcutant to take care of them during the off-season.