Mizoram court fines dog transporters

A court in Mizoram imposed a fine of Rs 1,500 each on two persons for illegally transporting 36 dogs.

The dogs were transported, with their mouths shut in in tightened sacks, for slaughter.

The order is seen as a warning to those indulging in illegal slaughter of dogs, mainly for consumption in Mizoram, Nagaland and some other parts in the Northeast.

“Slaughtering of dogs is not permissible under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 and also transportation of dogs is not permitted and no permit for transportation of the same is issued since December 2007," the judgment by a court of judicial magistrate, Aizawl, said.

"On their voluntary plea of guilt, the accused Lalfakawma and Lalnunpuia are found guilty under Section 11 (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and so they are convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 1,500 each,” it said.

The court issued the order following an FIR on June 8 lodged by Human Society International, an NGO fighting for animal rights, against the two accused.

The NGO complained that 36 dogs were being transported in tightened sacks and one of the dogs died during transportation.

The dogs were seized from a vehicle in Aizawl, Mizoram's capital, and subsequently, a case was registered.

The NGO said that soon after the rescue, 12 dogs succumbed to rabies and distemper.

The court also ordered that the surviving dogs be handed over to the NGO.

“This is a landmark judgment by the court, a first of its kind to give victims of the dog-meat trade a sanctuary and relief. We are now looking for people willing to adopt the dogs. We now look forward to seeing these lovely dogs bring joy to a new family after adoption,” Arkaprava Bhar, Human Society International’s regional manager (India), said in a statement on Friday.

The court said that the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 permits the slaughter of sheep, goat, pigs, cows, ox, poultry and fish but not dogs.

“Even district transport office, Aizawl issued an order on March 8, 2016, asking all enforcement staffs to strictly keep vigil and stop all illegal transportation of livestock, as dogs are often carried in the roof and rear of vehicles without making any safety measures,” the court said.