This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
Published on September 5, 2019, a resident of Maara Sub County, Tharaka Nithi County, John Munene, was arrested by police for slaughtering and cooking his dog.
According to eyewitnesses, Mr. Munene had gone for three days without food and was ashamed of begging from his neighbors.
He claimed that he opted to slaughter his only dog due to hunger, stating, "I was preparing the dog meat to eat with the small ugali that I had already cooked," as he was questioned by the police.
Mr. Munene will spend the night at Chogoria Police Station and will be arraigned in a Chuka court on Friday morning.
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with some residents expressing shock at the act.
Tharaka Nithi County is currently experiencing a severe hunger crisis due to prolonged drought, which has led to the drying of rivers and death of livestock.
Under the law, a person found guilty of cruelty against animals is liable to a fine not exceeding Sh2,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both.
