Govt seeks report on discarded dead piglets

SHILLONG, Sep 4: After nine piglets were found dumped in a drain at Mawdiangdiang in New Shillong Township on Saturday, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department has asked the District Veterinary Officer (DVO) to submit a report on the matter.
When contacted, a senior government official informed that investigating is going on to ascertain the cause(s) of the piglets’ deaths.
“The DVO is expected to submit a preliminary report tomorrow,” a senior official added.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had, on Saturday, said that the government will inquire into the mater, while emphasising that it is important to learn the cause of their deaths.
Tynsong had also said that the authorities were unaware if the piglets were dumped at the moment.
“We have done ear-tagging of the animals. We also have a control room monitoring them. We will find out even if they want to sell them. We will know if they are dead also,” he said.
The deputy chief minister also stated that the piglets being distributed by the government were of Hampshire breed brought from West Bengal.
Informing that there are standard operating procedures (SOPS) to be followed, the deputy CM said that the piglets which were brought into the state were isolated and also being vaccinated.
“It is distributed to the beneficiaries only after 10-12 days of isolation,” Tynsong had said.
The nine piglets were buried by the Dorbar Shnong in a private land on Saturday.
When contacted, Rangbah Shnong of Mawkasiang Tishalding Kharkongor said they had to bury the carcasses because of the foul smell.
“It is really sad that people dumped the piglets in this manner. It could have been hazardous if these pigs had any disease,” Kharkongor said, adding that the piglets had identification mark on their ears.
“What if these piglets were carrying diseases? This would have been a health hazard for the residents in and around Mawdiangdiang and who would be responsible for all this,” the Rangbah Shnong asked.
Kharkongor said it has not been discerned yet as to who dumped their carcasses.