In a recent police operation, authorities halted a truck carrying 226 dogs destined for consumption. The incident took place at the Kalikangkung toll gate in Semarang, Central Java, on Saturday night (January 6, 2024). The shocking discovery has led to the arrest of five suspects involved in the illegal sale and transportation of dogs.
The truck, bearing license plate AD 1538 YE, originated from Subang, West Java, en route to Sragen, Central Java. The animals, intended to be slaughtered and sold to various eateries in Solo, faced a grim fate.
The suspects include MK (52), AR (49), WG (62), and EY (29), with DH identified as the mastermind behind ordering hundreds of dogs from Subang to Sragen. This wasn’t DH’s first attempt, as he had previously ordered similar shipments using trucks.
In a distressing revelation, 226 dogs were found in the truck, and tragically, 12 of them had perished during the journey. The authenticity of the documents carried by the truck driver is under scrutiny, with suspicions that they may be counterfeit.
The authorities are exploring legal actions under Article 89 of Law Number 18 of 2009 concerning animal husbandry and health. The suspects face a maximum sentence of 5 years, as their actions involved mistreatment, including tying mouths, legs, and placing dogs in sacks, some of which were hung.
The truck, concealed with black mesh, aimed to keep the dog meat trade discreet. Upon interception, both the truck and its canine cargo were brought to the Semarang Police Headquarters. The dogs were found bound and placed in sacks, with some suspended from poles inside the truck.
The arrest operation involved collaboration between Semarang Police and the Animals Hope Shelter Indonesia community. Christian Joshua Pale, the Chairman of Animals Hope Shelter Indonesia, revealed that the dogs were sourced from collectors in Sumedang and were to be distributed by tossing them onto pickup trucks.
The dogs were priced between Rp50,000 to Rp250,000 per head, depending on their size. After being slaughtered, the meat was sold to traders at Rp38,000 to Rp40,000 per kilogram.
Out of the 226 dogs, 11 were confirmed dead, while several others were in critical condition. The cause of their deaths is being investigated at the Airlangga University in Surabaya. The surviving dogs are being taken to a shelter with the assistance of animal welfare communities.
This shocking revelation exposes the dark underbelly of the illegal dog meat trade, prompting authorities to take swift action against those involved. The incident highlights the importance of enforcing animal welfare laws and cracking down on illicit activities that endanger both animals and public health.
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