14 DAY TRIAL // Illegal animal trade is a growing problem in developing countries all across the Globe. Recently, Thai authorities have managed to save almost 800 dogs, which were supposed to end up in cooking pots in Vietnam.
According to Captain Teerakiat Thong-aram, a Thai navy unit has managed to stop a group of dog smugglers from accomplishing their mission. The authorities spotted the traffickers in the Nakhon Phanom's Ban Phaeng district.
The team of rescuers was shocked to find the large number of animals captive in 40 rusty cages, waiting to arrive in Laos. The dogs were supposed to be boarded on a ferry, taking them to Vietnam, where they eventually had to be sold illegally on the black market.
Even though most people wouldn't dream of buying or tasting dog meat, in Vietnam these creatures are considered a delicacy that makes mouths water.
The impressive seizure led to the arrest of only one of the smugglers, Preecha Utthasri, 37, from Ban Phaeng district, since the rest of them succeeded in escaping.
Under these circumstances, the offender risks spending some time in jail. The unit also found 100 empty cages along the Mekong river shore.
All the rescued dogs will be sent to a shelter located in Nakhon Phanom.
Unfortunately, this is far from being considered an isolated incident. Only last year, Thai authorities managed to save the lives of 2,000 dogs, waiting to end up on dinner tables from high-class restaurants in Vietnam.
The exotic cuisine of this country is putting dog population at risk. It seems that dog-based dishes are popular especially during New Year festival, when people are actually willing to pay exorbitant prices to enjoy this delicacy.
Even though authorities are monitoring the phenomenon and offenders are often sentenced to jail, hundreds of creatures are still cooked in pots all across Vietnam.