Semarang. Semarang City Police in Central Java intercepted a truck transporting hundreds of dogs bound for Solo, Central Java. They were found tied up with their mouths and legs bound and suspended using sacks. The dogs were intended for slaughter, and their meat would be sold for consumption.

According to Animals Hope Shelter Indonesia, the Semarang Police managed to stop a truck at the Kalikangkung Semarang Toll Gate on Saturday around 22:30. Upon further inspection, police found 226 dogs placed in sacks and suspended inside the truck bed.

Semarang Police Chief Commissioner Irwan Anwar said that five crew members of the truck were immediately apprehended and are currently being questioned by authorities. According to preliminary investigations, the dogs originated from Subang, West Java to Solo as their destination.

"We have received this information for the past month, but only tonight we managed to save 226 dogs. At the moment, we have detained five individuals. We will charge these suspects under the law on animal husbandry health, with a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison," Irwan Anwar said on Sunday.

Christian Josua, Chairman of Animals Hope Shelter Indonesia, said that the buyers of the dogs were waiting on the roadside. After the truck transporting the dogs from West Java arrived, the dogs were transferred to pickup trucks.

"The buyers were waiting on the roadside, so the dogs were thrown from the truck onto the buyers' pickup trucks," said Christian.

He said the price of one dog ranges from Rp 50,000 ($3.23) to Rp 250,000, depending on the size. The dogs would be slaughtered, and their meat sold at Rp 40,000 per kilogram.

The police are currently investigating the possible forgery of documents such as police road permits and health certificates for animals by the truck crew.