Seven members of a criminal network that was butchering dogs and diseased cows to sell the meat in Mohammedia, near Casablanca, have each received 10 years in prison.
Rabat – The Mohammedia Court of First Instance sentenced seven individuals for selling meat from dogs and diseased cows on Monday afternoon, following their arrest last month.
After the sentence was announced, the courtroom was filled with screams and shouts from the families of the convicted who believed the court’s decision was “unfair.”
Late in November, Royal Gendarmerie forces in the region dismantled the ring after they caught three of them drunkenly transporting rotten beef from diseased cattle and dog meat to be sold later.
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The gendarmes confiscated sharp weapons, meat grinders, and two dying cows found hidden by the accused.
On further investigation, police found cow heads in public dustbins and videos of the culprits trying to bribe gendarmerie members to keep silent about their activities.
News of the suspects’ acts has shocked and disgusted Moroccans, who expressed anger on social media.
While some called on the court to hand down severe penalties to the suspects for threatening people’s health, others condemned the killing of stray dogs.