Doves and Goldfish Seized From Magician by Navi Mumbai Police Following PETA India Complaint
During a raid this week of a magician who was illegally forcing animals to perform and mutilating birds’ wings to prevent them from flying, Navi Mumbai police, assisted by PETA India representatives, seized and rescued two doves and three goldfish from Magician Shailesh Ramesh. The birds have been transferred to a safe, spacious aviary, and the goldfish have been adopted by a veterinarian and moved into a large tank where they now live with other fish friends.
PETA India submitted a formal complaint at the Nerul police station against the magician, who did not have a performing animals registration certificate and was forcing animals to perform unregistered acts and tricks. After being warned of the legal consequences of using animals illegally, the magician voluntarily surrendered them to PETA India so that they could receive veterinary care and be rehabilitated.
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is the prescribed authority under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which regulates the use of animals for performances in the country. The magician had not registered the animals themselves or the animal acts with the AWBI.
