The Nagaland State Cabinet has banned the sale and import of dogs and dog meat which was considered a treat consumed traditionally for many decades. It is also said to have medicinal and nutritional properties. However, its consumption has been objected by animal rights activists for many years.
“The State Government has decided to ban commercial import and trading of dogs and dog markets and also the sale of dog meat, both cooked and uncooked. Appreciate the wise decision taken by the State’s Cabinet,” said Nagaland Chief Secretary Temjen Toy.
The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) appealed to the Nagaland government to ban the sale, smuggling, and consumption of dog meat at once. “We are once again hit by shock and horror at recent images that have emerged from ‘animal markets’ in Dimapur (Nagaland) where dogs are seen in terrifying conditions, tied up in sacks (gunny bags), waiting at a wet market, for their illegal slaughter, trade, and consumption as meat,” said executive director of FIAPO Varda Mehrotra.
Maneka Gandhi, animal rights activist also made an appeal that pointed out the “unabated” killing and consumption of dogs in Nagaland. She says it is illegal according to the laws of India and cannot be allowed under the guise of culture. She requested people to write to the Chief Secretary via email to bring an end to dog bazaars and dog restaurants in Nagaland.
According to Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, dog slaughter is illegal. Also, Regulation 2.5 of Food Safety & Standards Regulation 2011 states that dog meat is unfit for consumption.
Following the ban, some have opposed this decision as it casts an imposition on the deep-rooted traditional culture of the state.
Source: Reuters