PHUKET: On August 18, probably the biggest Thai dog meat trade case to date comes to court. On June 30, police from Sakol Nakorn intercepted a truck carrying the butchered remains and carcasses of more than 100 dogs.
The truck was heading for Tha Rae, the traditional home of Thailand's dog meat trade.
One of the men arrested allegedly admitted to being a major player in the industry, organising the sourcing, slaughtering, butchering and selling of dogs/dog meat from around the region.
He also allegedly admitted to being compliant in smuggling dog meat illegally over the Thai border to Laos.
The man and his accomplice face charges under the Contagious Diseases Act and the Animal Welfare Law.
If found guilty,of animal cruelty, animal welfare groups in Thailand and across the world are united in calling for the imposition of the maximum sentence possible; two years in jail and a fine of 40,000 baht.
Police in Sakol Nakorn, acting on a tip-off from Watchdog Thailand, the investigative and suppression division of Soi Dog Foundation, intercepted a pick-up truck travelling from Ampoe Mukdahan to Tha Rae on June 30 and made the gruesome discovery of the butchered remains and carcasses of over 100 dogs in the back of the truck.
Two men were arrested after allegedly admitting they had purchased the meat in Dong Luang, Mukhadan and were taking it to Tha Rae to sell.
Under further questioning, Mr Sanun, the driver, apparently changed his story, and admitted to being the head of an extensive operation that was involved in sourcing dogs, killing them and selling them.
Mr Sanun allegedly revealed the location of his slaughterhouse in Ban Nong Wang, Song Pleuy, Na Mon district, Kalasin, and the location of the holding place where dogs were kept before slaughter.
He apparently admitted to police that it had become too risky to transport live dogs to Tha Rae because of heightened police activity in the area.
Mr Sanun also allegedly admitted one of his buyers was located near the Laos border, and smuggled dog meat across the border into Laos.
Both the arrested men were charged under the Contagious Diseases Act and the Animal Welfare Law (Article 20), and were bailed to appear before court on August 18.
Animal welfare groups across the country welcomed the arrests. John Dalley, co-founder and president of Soi Dog Foundation, Thailand's leading animal welfare charity said: ''The police and authorities have done a great job in making these arrests and bringing the appropriate charges.
''It now remains for the judicial system to set an example and impose the maximum sentence for both of these people, if found guilty.
''It would appear they have been responsible for the brutal slaughtering of thousands of dogs over the years, as well as contravening the Contagious Diseases Act.
''Handing down a maximum sentence would send out a clear message that the Thai people will not tolerate this cruel, inhumane industry.''
The maximum sentence for people found guilty of animal cruelty is two years in prison, and a 40,000 baht fine.
About Soi Dog Foundation
Soi Dog Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2003, is a legally registered charity in Thailand, the United States, Australia, the UK, France and Holland. Our mission statement is to improve the welfare of dogs and cats in Asia, resulting in better lives for both the animal and human communities, to create a society without homeless animals, and to ultimately end animal cruelty.
The truck was heading for Tha Rae, the traditional home of Thailand's dog meat trade.
One of the men arrested allegedly admitted to being a major player in the industry, organising the sourcing, slaughtering, butchering and selling of dogs/dog meat from around the region.
He also allegedly admitted to being compliant in smuggling dog meat illegally over the Thai border to Laos.
The man and his accomplice face charges under the Contagious Diseases Act and the Animal Welfare Law.
If found guilty,of animal cruelty, animal welfare groups in Thailand and across the world are united in calling for the imposition of the maximum sentence possible; two years in jail and a fine of 40,000 baht.
Police in Sakol Nakorn, acting on a tip-off from Watchdog Thailand, the investigative and suppression division of Soi Dog Foundation, intercepted a pick-up truck travelling from Ampoe Mukdahan to Tha Rae on June 30 and made the gruesome discovery of the butchered remains and carcasses of over 100 dogs in the back of the truck.
Two men were arrested after allegedly admitting they had purchased the meat in Dong Luang, Mukhadan and were taking it to Tha Rae to sell.
Under further questioning, Mr Sanun, the driver, apparently changed his story, and admitted to being the head of an extensive operation that was involved in sourcing dogs, killing them and selling them.
Mr Sanun allegedly revealed the location of his slaughterhouse in Ban Nong Wang, Song Pleuy, Na Mon district, Kalasin, and the location of the holding place where dogs were kept before slaughter.
He apparently admitted to police that it had become too risky to transport live dogs to Tha Rae because of heightened police activity in the area.
Mr Sanun also allegedly admitted one of his buyers was located near the Laos border, and smuggled dog meat across the border into Laos.
Both the arrested men were charged under the Contagious Diseases Act and the Animal Welfare Law (Article 20), and were bailed to appear before court on August 18.
Animal welfare groups across the country welcomed the arrests. John Dalley, co-founder and president of Soi Dog Foundation, Thailand's leading animal welfare charity said: ''The police and authorities have done a great job in making these arrests and bringing the appropriate charges.
''It now remains for the judicial system to set an example and impose the maximum sentence for both of these people, if found guilty.
''It would appear they have been responsible for the brutal slaughtering of thousands of dogs over the years, as well as contravening the Contagious Diseases Act.
''Handing down a maximum sentence would send out a clear message that the Thai people will not tolerate this cruel, inhumane industry.''
The maximum sentence for people found guilty of animal cruelty is two years in prison, and a 40,000 baht fine.
About Soi Dog Foundation
Soi Dog Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2003, is a legally registered charity in Thailand, the United States, Australia, the UK, France and Holland. Our mission statement is to improve the welfare of dogs and cats in Asia, resulting in better lives for both the animal and human communities, to create a society without homeless animals, and to ultimately end animal cruelty.
There should never be a Maximum Sentence or Maximum Fine. These should be decided by whatever the crime is. imposing maximum is rubbish. Every country needs to evaluate the crime and punish accordingly.
Posted by Tbs on August 5, 2015 11:24