Nagaland govt bans import, trade and sale of dog meat

GUWAHATI: The Nagaland government on Friday banned the import, trade and sale of dog meat in the state. The move follows a similar decision taken by Mizoram government in March.

“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,” Nagaland chief secretary Temjen Toy tweeted after the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting.

While there was no clarity on what prompted the decision, there has been a recent online campaign against the sale of dogs and dog meat in Nagaland by several organisations including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation (FIAPO). “We are again hit by shock and horror at recent images that have emerged from ‘animal bazaar’ markets in Dimapur (Nagaland) where dogs are seen in terrified conditions, tied up in sacks (gunny bags), waiting at a wet market, for their illegal slaughter, trade and consumption as meat,” FAIPO had said in an appeal to Nagaland government on July 2 urging it to announce a ban.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Humane Society International and People For Animals,

WHILE THERE WAS NO CLARITY ON WHAT PROMPTED THE DECISION, THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT ONLINE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SALE OF DOGS AND DOG MEAT IN NAGALAND

two other organisations demanding the end of dog meat sale in Nagaland, welcomed the Nagaland government move as a ‘major turning point’ to end cruelty against dogs.

“The decision by the cabinet will end the import, trade and sale of live dogs and dog meat. We welcome this decision as a major turning point in ending cruelty of India’s hidden dog meat trade,” the statement read.

The government decision, however, has met with some opposition by civil society groups and eminent persons who termed the move as an infringement on food habits. “Government may have some reasons on why they decided to impose the ban. But it will have an impact on food habit as dog meat is consumed by common people. I have no idea how government will restrict food habits and implement the ban,” said Theja Therieh, secretary, Naga Tribes Council.