On April 2, 2025, Nghe An authorities inspected and discovered a car transporting 10 individuals suspected to be white ke keai. The driver transported these animals at Thai Khac Thanh's request.
Urgently searching Thanh's residence, the investigation agency seized 3 more white-throated chickens belonging to the bird class, the chicken set, the family Tri. According to the investigation results, Thai Khac Thanh raised, owned and transported a total of 13 white-legged chickens.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Mr. Thai Khac Thanh's wife, said: "Mr. Thanh raises ornamental chickens because of his passion. I did not know that this chicken species was on the red list of diseases that prohibit state captivity and trading.
First of all, it must be determined that no one has the right to invocate themselves without knowing the law to claim the right to be exempted from legal liability.
If everyone goes to the forest to hunt for wild animals, then gives the excuse that they do not know the bird species, that animal is a rare animal, on the list of red books, then there is only chaos.
So many rare animals were hunted, birds, monkeys, langurs, pangolins... were dragged from the forest to the drinking table. If we do not stop them, our children and grandchildren will only watch wild animals in movies and documents.
Many experts believe that the verdict on Mr. Thai Khac Thanh will be a lesson, raising people's awareness in complying with the provisions of the law on wildlife protection.
However, in addition to the rule of law, it is necessary to consider appropriate factors that can reduce the punishment for those who violate the law.
Mr. Thanh is not a "forest bandit", specializing in hunting wild animals in the forest, but instead looking to buy white-legged chickens, raise breeds and sell them.
Point b, Clause 1, Article 4 of Circular 27 "Regulations on management of endangered and rare species; raising common wild animals and implementing the Convention on international trade of endangered animals and plants" stipulates that white-legged chickens (scientific name Lophura nycthemera), belonging to group IIB, are species "restricted for exploitation and use for commercial purposes".
Circular 27 takes effect from July 1, 2025.
Thus, white-legged chickens are no longer strictly prohibited but only limited in exploitation.
In addition, Mr. Thanh's family and personal circumstances will be considered to consider the appeal and reduce the sentence at the appeal hearing.
On August 13, the Chief Prosecutor of the Provincial People's Procuracy appealed the entire verdict, requesting the original verdict to be overturned for re- Investigation. The Provincial People's Court changed the preventive measures for defendant Thanh from temporary detention to prohibiting him from leaving his place of residence, pending appeal trial.
Public opinion is waiting for a verdict that maintains the dignity of the law, but is also humane, enough to deter criminals.
