Dozens of pet dogs snatched from their heartbroken owners are saved from being boiled alive and EATEN
The dogs were rescued in Meghalaya, India, as they were being transported in a small car, tied up and with their mouths taped shut
THIS is the heartwarming moment 26 stray dogs facing being boiled alive and eaten were rescued in northeast India.
The dogs were saved after officers stopped a small car on a highway near Jowai in Meghalaya, as they were being transported – cruelly tied up and with their mouths taped shut.
The poor mutts, believed to have been abducted on the street, were severely dehydrated, terrified and disoriented when rescued.
They were given food, water and medicines before transported to centre of Just Be Friendly, a local charity.
Dr Shashanka Dutta, veterinarian and founder of Just Be Friendly, said: “They are doing well but are severely traumatised. We are doing everything we can to comfort them.
“We have been giving them oral hydration and drips as required.
“They are safe now and have started eating and are taking medicines.”
It all started Monday night around 10 pm when an animal lover Kasturi Das spotted three dogs in a car and posted their pictures on social media.
As soon as the pictures went viral, other activists alerted local cops who quickly sprung into action and, after interrogating the driver, were shocked to find another 23 dogs in three different warehouses.
Sub-Inspector Kiran Lyngdoh, who cracked the case, said: “I was sent the picture of the driver and the car by my senior officer.
“While we got hold of the driver with the help of the number plate of the car, at first we could not find anything suspicious in it but after stern interrogation, the driver opened up.
“He said three women had hired his cab and he had no clue what was in the bags.
“He took us to three different locations. Once we reached them, we were aghast to see at least 23 dogs were hold up in a ridiculously painful manner.
“We nabbed three women and the driver immediately. Unfortunately, it is a bailable offence and we are working with lawyers to see how we can proceed in the case.”
The sight of warehouse was so horrific that it took several hours for police and animal activists to rescue the dogs.
A local animal rights activist, who wished to stay anonymous: “It was a depressing sight.
“In my 10 year career as an animal rights activist, I had never seen such a horrific sight.
“The dogs were brutally packed in bags and tied with ropes so tightly that it took me at least 20 minutes to cut each one of them off.
“But by the time I reached the fifth dog, I had given up because I was worried for the health of other dogs.
“The dogs were scared and howling and whining.
“The look of fear in their eyes was devastating.
“It took me some time to comfort them. Their limbs were tied and mouth was shut so they could not bark. The movement was restricted and they sat helpless.
“After comforting and feeding them food and water, we transferred the dogs to NGOs so they can be given proper care.”
Seven of the 26 dogs were adopted locally and rest have been put up for adoption by JBF.
Dr Shashanka said: “The dogs are recovering fast. They are very docile and seemed to be domesticated as they are well behaved.
“In many parts of northeast, dogs are given food by local shopkeepers. It seems they were kidnapped from market areas.
“We do not run a shelter but since it was an emergency we had to bring them here to save them.
“Our place is small for large pack of dogs. We hope that people will come forward to adopt these animals and give them a better life.”
The consumption of dog meat is illegal in India but it does happen in Mizoram and Nagaland where hundreds of dogs are killed brutally for meat trade as some consider dog meat to have high nutritional and medicinal value.
Many dogs are boiled alive at markets so their skin and fur comes off and their meat is sold for £2 per kilogram.
While it is difficult to challenge eating habits, animal rights activists like Dr Shashanka believes that the mindset of the people needs to be changed gradually.
“We cannot do much within these states but on our part we are trying to stop the supply of dogs from other parts to these states.
“We understand that social awareness can help change the mindset of the people but that is a long process.”
