Export of dog meat to China from Kerala illegal: Animal rights organisation

The resolution adopted by 'Gram Panchayats' in a district of Kerala to export dog meat to China for tackling the growing population of stray dogs is termed illegal by an animal rights organisation on 4 August.

N G Jayasimha, Managing Director, Humane Society International (HSI), India, said Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, formulated under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to manage population of stray dogs, "is proven to reduce stray dog population, reduce incidence of bites and rabies and the state of Kerala is bound to follow these rules, as established by the Central Government."

"I request you to instruct the Panchayats to abide by the law and ask them to channel their time, energy and resources in legal, scientific and humane methods as per the Animal Birth Control Dog Rules 2001, to control stray dog population and not resort to illegal, unscientific and illogical ideas such as trade in dog meat," he said in a letter to Kerala Panchayats and Social Welfare Minister M K Muneer.

HSI, which works on animal protection issues around the world, also cited the Food Safety and Standards Authority order which expressly prohibits slaughtering of animals which are not specified under Regulation 2.5 of the Food Safety & Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011.

Last week, gram panchayat presidents in Ernakulam district had adopted a controversial resolution proposing that the dog meat be "exported" to South Korea, China and the north-east, to counter the rising menace of stray dogs.

The resolution was introduced by Edakkttuvayal Gram Panchayat President K R Jayakumar at a meeting of the Ernakulam District Panchayat Presidents' Association.

-PTI