A Lautoka resident has raised alarm over reports that community dogs and pets are being taken from neighbourhoods in Lautoka and used for pig hunting, describing the activity as illegal and cruel.
In a post on social media, Mohammed Khan said groups of men believed to be from Navosa, Sigatoka, had been moving around areas including Rifle Range, Vomo Street, Sukunivalu Road and Natabua, capturing dogs over the past several days.
“I received two calls today (yesterday) after 3pm,” Khan said.
“One was from the Lautoka City Council new market where a few men were taking dogs in sacks. Another was along Sukunivalu Road.”
Khan said he confronted two groups — one at Vomo Street and another near his home along Sukunivalu Road — who allegedly admitted they had been doing this for the last three days while waiting for a carrier van to collect the dogs.
“They were dragging a heavily pregnant dog — even a mother and daughter,” he said.
“They also mentioned another group was catching dogs in another area.”
Khan said he intervened just in time to stop the group from entering his property around 4.30pm.
“This is not on. It needs to stop,” Khan said.
Khan said the groups were operating in pairs or groups of three and urged members of the public to act immediately if they encounter similar situations.
“If you see any such people, stop them, call the nearest police, animal shelter, post here or contact any rescuers you know,” he said. “Do take pictures of them. This is illegal.”
He added that despite following one group to Field 40 in Lautoka and reporting the matter, police did not arrive and the group later disappeared into the Balawa area.
