Around 50 dogs were reportedly found dumped by the roadside in Numaligarh in Golaghat District, Assam. The animals were packed in gunny bags with their mouths tied.

Many of the helpless dogs had died by the time they were discovered by people from the area.

It is assumed that the smugglers were taking the dogs to Dimapur in Nagaland but then decided to abandon the plan due to reasons unknown.

Dog meat has been a delicacy in Nagaland for generations. This practice is being criticized and frowned upon by other communities more often in the recent times. Though the culture of consumption of dog meat has reduced significantly, there is still a sizeable market for it.

There have been several incidences where dogs being smuggled to the state from the neighbouring state of Assam had been intercepted. Incidences such as in the Numaligarh case have also happened before.

In September this year, 31 dogs put in sacks and mouths tied up were found by the roadside near Bokakhat in the border area of the two states.

In the same month, 16 dogs were rescued and two persons were arrested Cachar district of Assam.

In March, West Guwahati Police caught five persons who were associated to an inter-state dog smuggling racket. These persons were driving around in the city stealing dogs.

In December 2021, police arrested a person and rescued 24 of the animals from him in Jorhat. The dogs were reportedly meant to be smuggled to Mon in Nagaland.

The Centre, in its effort to protect the rights of animals, has made a draft of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022, prepared by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. In the draft, 61 amendments have been introduced to the pre-existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. One such amendment includes three years’ imprisonment for committing “gruesome cruelty” including “bestiality” with animals.