The Lilongwe Magistrate court has sentenced a well-known roadside live animal vendor to 6 months in jail for animal cruelty.

The vendor appeared in court to answer criminal charges of animal cruelty to which he was found guilty. After the confiscations, the puppy died in the Intensive Care Unit because of the consequences of the torture in the hands of the vendor. The puppy’s ears were glued to his head with superglue and his coat was dyed black using toxic dyes to make him look like a German Shephard. The puppy was severely dehydrated and suffered malnutrition, he had severe worm burden. Being so young, his body was not able to fight the trauma he had to endure on the side of the road.

Selling and buying pets along the streets is against the country’s law as well as city bylaws. Animals sold on the streets especially puppies and kittens are subjected to ill-treatment and cruelty. They are exposed to extreme weather conditions, they suffocate when the vendors keep them in closed backpacks, they suffer from dehydration, malnutrition, and worm burden, and are taken from their mothers at a very early age.

The police have made 9 arrests so far and 3 cases have been completed in court. The street pet trade is a cruel practice, it spreads diseases dangerous to humans, and it is illegal under section 66 of the Animal Protection Act of 1970. 

The Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA) and Lilongwe City Council have identified a location where a limited number of vendors will be allowed to sell animals in a controlled environment. The location is currently being prepared to be a suitable outlet for animals.