The police operation followed Peta India filed a complaint against the circus company. The rescued animals have been moved to permanent and safe locations equipped to recover from their ordeal at the circus.
Oomangalam Police have filed a case against the circus society under the Animal Cruelty Prevention Act1960, for animal cruelty and forcing animals to do unregistered tricks.
The police also invoked Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 for mutilating dogs, camels and ponies and rendering them useless by causing them injuries through cruel treatment, failing to treat the injuries and using them for performances despite poor health.
Police also invoked Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) of 1972 for illegally possessing a prohibited wild animal (crested monkey). Crested macaques are protected under Appendix I of the WPA1972 (as amended by the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022).