HC quashes govt order banning dog meat

The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has quashed the state government order passed on 2020 that put a blanket ban on the commercial import, trading of dogs and sale of dog meat in markets and dine-in restaurants.
The judgement was passed on June 2 after Justice Marli Vankung heard a petition by three persons.
The Nagaland government had decided to ban the sale, trade and import of dog meat in July after a photograph of incapacitated dogs tied to gunny bags went viral on social media.
The petitioners had pointed out that the government’s order lacked statutory backing. The petitioners are traders dealing in import, trade and sale of dog meat within the jurisdiction of Kohima Municipal Corporation (KMC).
The counsel for the petitioners pointed out that the petitioners was being denied the right to consume the food of their choice and to earn their livelihood when Import /export permit dated 03.06.2020 has been issued by the Kohima Municipal council for the petitioner to trade in dog meat.
After taking note of all the submissions, the court said that the chief secretary was not the appropriate authority to issue the impugned order dated 04.07.2020 when section 30 of the FSS Act, 2006 provides for appointment of a Commissioner of Food Safety for the state for efficient implementation of food safety and standards and other requirements laid down under the Act.
After making its observations and reasoning and in light of the judgments of the apex court, the court said it was constraint to set aside and quash the July 4, 2020 order issued by the state banning commercial import, trading of dogs and dog markets as well as commercial sale of dog meat in markets and dine in restaurants.