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Our Reporter
Dimapur, July 1 (EMN): Government official’s notice declaring the shoot-at-sight order on dogs by various village councils and authorities in Nagaland, as illegal and punishable under the law, seems to have fallen on deaf ears as a dog was reportedly shot after running out of the house for a brief moment in a village in Mokokchung district on June 30.
The incident, which happened in Changki village of Mokokchung district, has sparked furore among the dog lovers.
A source informed Eastern Mirror that a dog owner had returned from Mokokchung late on Tuesday night to his home in Changki.
“It seems that the dog was excited to see the owner and since they were tied up all day due to the orders of (the) council, the owner let him loose just for a minute (sic),” the source said, adding that the dog out of excitement ran out of the house.
The source claimed that in less than 10 minutes, the owner got the news that his dog was shot by a council member.
“The owner rushed to get the dog and took him around midnight to Mokokchung town to see a vet,” said the source.
[Also read: Maneka Gandhi on shoot-at-sight order for dogs]
Further, it was informed that the village council members imposed a fine on the dog owner. “They even took a fine for the cost of the bullet that was used to shoot the dog,” said the source.
When contacted, the Changki Village Council Chairman said that he was not aware of any shoot-at-sight incident that occurred on Tuesday night and so wasn’t in the position to comment on it.
It may be mentioned that the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung had earlier issued a notice declaring the "shoot-at-sight" on dogs order a punishable offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCAA), 1960, as well as rules and regulations by the Animal Welfare Board of India. The DC also stated that legal proceedings would be initiated under sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the PCAA against any village authorities, wards, individuals, and groups acting in contravention to the notice.
Popular online animal welfare community, Noah’s Ark Nagaland, also expressed disappointment over the incident.
“Despite the efforts of the community as well as many dog lovers to spread awareness and positivity on the matter, we are very disappointed that such incidents continue to happen,” a member said, adding that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be approached regarding the matter.
[Aso read: Maneka Gandhi targets dog meat sale]