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Dimapur, May 4 (EMN): Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Dimapur, an animal rescue group, along with the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Veterinary department Dimapur and Dimapur Police conducted a surprise checking on illegal sale of dogs at Supermarket on Wednesday.
The first surprise checking was carried out in the presence of Gaon Bura Union (Sardar) president and general secretary.
[Also read: Pet lovers in Nagaland campaign against animal cruelty]
A member of SPCA told Eastern Mirror that the exercise was planned a few days ago but most of the vendors, who used to openly sell dogs at Supermarket, were not around when the team visited on Wednesday.
“We supposed that they may have received the information on the checking as there were very few in the market with puppies,” said an animal rights activist.
As it was the first day of checking, the vendors were let off with stern warning against selling of dogs openly on the streets and within the market, said the animal rescue group, adding that most of the vendors were not aware of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 under Section 11(1), enacted to prevent cruelty to animals including stray dogs.
The vendors were made aware of the law; that if anyone is found openly selling dogs, cruelly tied up in sacks, they will be fined INR 500 or imprisoned for a period of three months and the dogs will be taken away to shelter home.
It may be mentioned that 90% of the dogs are sourced from Assam to the market in Nagaland especially in Dimapur and there are around minimum of 10 vendors selling the dogs at Supermarket unaware of the laws against it.
The rescue group said that although the fine amount was INR 500, which may be a lesser amount compared to the amount they may receive by selling a dog, the vendors may not risk to be imprisoned for three months.
It may be recalled that the DMC in coordination with the State Animal Welfare Advisory Board Nagaland (SAWAB-N) and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) had cautioned any person dealing in any inhuman manner towards animals could be prosecuted as per the provision of the Act on April 21.
Also, the had notified all the concerned that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act 1960 under Section 11 (1) protects all animals whether domestic or wild, which requires them to be treated in a humane way during transportation, rearing or even while being slaughtered for meat.
The SPCA informed that the surprise checking will be done at regular intervals and requested everyone to immediately inform them if they come across anybody selling dogs openly in the market in Dimapur through - 9774020656, 9884993292, 8837493971.