Among certain Tibeto-Burman communities, dog meat is considered to be a delicacy. Until this year, some states of Northeast India such as Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland, still consumed dog meat. This March, the Government of Mizoram passed the Animal Slaughter Bill 2020 that not only prohibits the consumption of dog meat but also bans dogs being slaughtered in the state.
Three months after, on the 3rd of July, the Government of Nagaland too banned the consumption and trading of dog meat in the state.
Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Temjen Troy, took to Twitter to confirm the news. He also tagged the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphieu Rio, and Animal Rights Activist, Maneka Gandhi in his tweet. Here, take a look.
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 @Manekagandhibjp @Neiphiu_Rio
— Temjen Toy (@temjentoy) July 3, 2020
Before the ban came into existence, dog lovers in Nagaland launched a campaign to protest and end Nagaland's dog meat trade business for good. In fact, Pritish Nandy, a journalist and former parliamentarian, cooked up quite a storm on Twitter urging his followers to send the Government of Nagaland an email to ban dog markets, dog restaurants and smuggling of dogs into the state.
This is urgent. You can help make history by sending an email tonight to csngl@nic.in saying Nagaland must stop dog markets, dog restaurants and smuggling of dogs into the state. Eating dog meat is inhuman, not just illegal. The issue comes before the cabinet tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/4Bv42EXuYN
— Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) July 1, 2020
He posted this Tweet on the 1st of July, 2020. Little did he know, that the Government of Nagaland would take action and ban the consumption and trade of dog meat in the state on 3rd of July. Many netizens applauded the governments move and were all praise for it on Twitter.
Great decision sir
— Avatar (@InevitableDr) July 3, 2020
Whole country is proud of you
🇮🇳💪
Thank you so much for your decision
— Saptaparna Singh (@SinghSaptaparna) July 3, 2020
Much grateful to you @temjentoy
Were the dogs released
Thank you Sir for your revolutionary decision।।।।
— Bikash Dowara (@DowaraBikash) July 3, 2020
Respected Sir,
— Sudha Vijay Pratap (@SudhaPratap) July 3, 2020
We really thank you for this decision 🙏 however I hope necessary precautions are taken to make sure these kinds of inhuman acts are not carried out #animallivesmatter
Let's be more responsible n human towards other living beings & our Surroundings #animallovers
Really love this decision.....They too have life....Appreciate it sir
— Manas (@manas_hunter) July 3, 2020
Under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, killing of dog meat is considered illegal. Also, according to the Food Safety & Standards Regulation, 2011, dogs and cats are not to be slaughtered for food.
Featured Image: Twitter