Palluruthy is no part of China where dog’s meat is consumed. But of late, a large number of street dogs have vanished from Palluruthy giving rise to strong suspicion that dog’s meat is finding its way to the mutton market from slaughter houses.
Given the huge rise in the prices of mutton and beef, the possibility of the unscrupulous mixing dog’s meat with them can’t be ruled out, according to intelligence officials.
Police and intelligence officials have begun inspecting slaughter houses in search of the stray dogs that have mysteriously disappeared Health officials say that over 60 percent of stray dogs have vanished in two weeks.
The police also found from health officials’ report that the number of dogs in the area has gone down considerably.
As the prices of beef and mutton have gone up, some traders might be mixing dog’s meat with mutton to earn a windfall, it is feared.
The police have learnt from the Corporation that only a few dangerous dogs have been killed of late.
“The Corporation has revealed that it has not conducted any culling recently.
So we contacted a person named Berly who catches stray dogs for the Corporation in Palluruthy.
He told us that he had handed over some canines to households to be kept as pets after injecting them with anti-rabies vaccines,” an intelligence officer said.
However, intelligence officials have learnt from veterinary doctors that stray dogs often do not survive long when injected with medicines.
The health officers also do not believe this version as a large number of dogs cannot be rehabilitated within a short span of time.
Palluruthy Sub-Inspector S Rajesh said that they have taken the statement of Berly.
It was also decided to conduct inspections at the slaughter houses to see if dogs are culled there.
“Berly on Friday submitted that he had culled only two dogs and three puppies on the directives of the Corporation recently and that he knew nothing else. We have to conduct a thorough probe into the matter. We examined several slaughter houses in the area but could not find any remains of dogs. But we will step up the vigil,” Rajesh said.
As the prices of beef and mutton have gone up, some traders might be mixing dog’s meat with mutton. Police and intelligence officials have begun inspecting slaughter houses. Veterinary doctors say that stray dogs often do not survive long when injected with medicines.