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| An FIR is being registered against the accused under Prevention of Cruelty against Animals Act, 1960 of the Indian Penal Code. (Express Photo) |
Tripura Police Tuesday arrested two dog smugglers carrying four
Indian breed dogs tied tightly inside gunny bags while they were being
whisked off to Mizoram. East Agartala Station Officer-in-charge
Debashish Saha said that the dogs were recovered from a vehicle enroute
to Mizoram.
“The recovery was made at 3 in the early morning today at
Buddhamandir area in Agartala. A Sub-Inspector halted a vehicle carrying
dogs in suspicious conditions. Prima facie evidence suggests that the
animals were being smuggled”, Saha said.
The official also said that an FIR is being registered against the
accused under Prevention of Cruelty against Animals Act, 1960 of the
Indian Penal Code. The detainees identified as Johnunsanga, Lalthanmuia
are residents of Kanhmun, a Mizoram village bordering Tripura in the
north district.
Speaking to reporters inside police custody, the
detainees said they visited Tripura to see off someone in a city-based
private school. Four unidentified persons offered them to sell four dogs
at Rs. 300 each and they obliged, Johnunsanga claimed.
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| The dogs were handed over to Pawsome – an animal-friendly NGO for treatment and safekeeping till their ownership can be established. |
However, police said they are investigating to assess the truth of
their statement. “They have said this is their first offense. We shall
investigate to assess whether they have previous criminal records”, the
OC said.
The dogs were handed over to Pawsome – an animal-friendly
NGO for treatment and safekeeping till their ownership can be
established. Rigved Dutta, general secretary of the NGO said they have
recovered 20 dogs from smuggling rackets in the past. He thanked Tripura
Police for taking the initiative and said awareness about cruelty
against animals is on the rise in Tripura.
