Dogs smuggled from Rangamati to Mizoram, sold for 10-12 thousand Tk

There have been allegations of stray dogs being hunted and smuggled to Mizoram, India, from different areas of Langadu upazila of Rangamati. Local sources claim that each dog is being sold for 10 to 12 thousand taka. The issue has recently sparked widespread discussion on social media.

It has been learned that hunters use special bamboo traps to catch the dogs and take them to Barkal upazila by boat across Kaptai Lake. The dogs then reach the market in Mizoram through the border area.

Mizoram's popular spring festival 'Chapchar Kut' is usually held in March. The demand for dog meat increases in some areas around this festival, which is alleged to be the reason for the increase in smuggling and hunting activities.

According to the Animal Welfare Act of 2019 in Bangladesh, killing or removing ownerless dogs or any other animal is illegal and punishable.

Slaughtering and selling dogs is prohibited in the Indian state of Mizoram. In 2020, the Mizoram Animal Slaughter (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed, removing dogs from the list of edible animals.

Rangamati District Livestock Officer Dr. Moinul Islam Chowdhury said that dogs can carry various diseases including rabies. Eating meat from stray dogs is risky for public health.

He warned that dogs should not be removed after the government vaccination process, as this could lead to unvaccinated dogs taking over the place.

Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Debraj Chakma said that incidents of dog hunting may occur in some areas around the festival. He called for changing risky eating habits through awareness.