Via @dp4k.m #Repost @zacs__place #Repost @denise13dd First #dogthieves jailed after #Vietnamese law change 14 June 2017 Public outcry over rampant #dogthefts has pushed the government to enact new laws which have finally given jail terms to dog killers. For years criminals have stolen #dogs from loving homes with near immunity in #Vietnam to feed the #dogmeatindustry. But a law change enacted in July 2016, has finally turned the tables against the thieves by allowing prosecutions to be brought against those whose thefts cause social disorder. And from now on even the theft of a single dog can result in jail time, as the law recognises the emotional value of companion animals. Previously, the crime was treated as petty property theft with the dogs themselves considered to have too little financial value to bring a prosecution. As a result most thieves were more scared of vigilante owners than the authorities. But last month, a court in the southern province of #TayNinh wielded the new powers for the first time and handed out custodial sentences of three to seven years each to six dog thieves. The gang had been stalking houses at night and shooting dogs with home-made stun guns at the behest of a local dog meat restaurant. The scale of their crime was eventually their undoing with police raiding the restaurant in December 2016 to find 47 dogs, 32 of which had already been slaughtered.Animals Asia’s Vietnam Director Tuan Bendixsen said: “This is the first case we’re aware of which has resulted in jail time for dog thieves. It proves Vietnam has finally had enough and the authorities are willing to use the new laws to protect companion animals and the public. “The industry only survives off the back of stolen companion animals and strays – which is completely illegal and has been fomenting serious social unrest. “Until now, law enforcement has been unable to deal with dog thieves decisively due to the old law, but this case proves the new law is capable of jailing thieves and will send a strong message to the criminals.”
