SAKON NAKHON, May 5-— Approximately 600 dogs destined for the meat trade in Vietnam were rescued by local authorities on Sunday in this northeastern province.
Provincial livestock officials, police officers and a non-governmental group working on anti-dog trade operations raided a forested area in Sakon Nakhon’s Kusuman district.
Following the raid, officials found and seized 60 cages crammed with 600 dogs along with 40 empty cages. The dogs were about to be shipped across the Mekong River and destined for sale in Vietnam.
However, the smugglers were able to flee the scene.
The rescued dogs will be transferred to the Nakhon Phanom Animal Quarantine Station where sick and injured animals will be screened for proper treatment.
According to officials, the animal quarantine station was already crowded with some 2,000 canines, however, more space will be provided for the seized dogs.
