Assam Cops Rescue 75 Dogs Being Smuggled To Nagaland For Meat

Assam Police have rescued some 75 dogs which were being illegally smuggled to neighbouring Nagaland, where dog meat is a delicacy.

The pick-up van which was used to smuggle the animals was spotted by locals in Assam¡¯s Samaguri town late on Thursday evening, after which they alerted the police.

The police team which intercepted the pick-up van also arrested four men who were smuggling the dogs.

The animals were kept with their mouths taped, heaped on top of each other. By the time they were rescued, 22 of the dogs had already collapsed due to suffocation.

"Unfortunately, 22 out of the 75 dogs have collapsed. They were kept in really pathetic condition. We have sent the remaining dogs to our shelter home," People For Animal (PFA) Asam Chairperson Sangeeta Goswami said.

Out of the surviving canines, seven were reportedly critical.

"Some of them are so weak that they can't walk properly. Our veterinarians are working on them," she added.

The four men have reportedly told the police that they lured the dogs, mostly strays, with biscuits containing something intoxicating. Their mouths were tied to make sure that they don't bark or make noise.

"The four have admitted that they were taking the canines to Dimapur to sell them to dog meat market there," a police officer said.

Though exact figures are hard to come by, dog meat sellers in Nagaland are said to be paying at least R500 for a live animal. The meat is sold for anything between Rs 800 to Rs 1000 a kilo in the markets.

HSI/ File

The consumption of dog meat in Nagaland has always been controversial. Many animal rights groups have called for a ban and strict punishments for the meat trade.

Under the current laws, cruelty to animals attracts nominal fines ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 50.

Last year the Nagaland government had proposed the banning the use of dog meat as food in the state. But despite the ban, dog meat continues to be sold in the markets openly.