In parts of Asia, dogs and cats end up in the cooking pot. The animals were often brutally killed or hanged in front of the customers. About twenty Indonesian cities have now banned the trade. However, demand on the markets is still high, it is reported.
“I have stopped buying and selling dogs even though the demand is still high,” said an Indonesian who stocked the infamous Tomohon market. He lost an important source of income. In July 2023, the city’s mayor issued a resolution banning the slaughter of dogs and cats and the sale of their meat. Previously these were sold alongside other animals such as bats, snakes, rats and monkeys.
Many travelers reported their experiences in horror. The animals were not only sold, but also brutally killed or hanged in front of the customers. Their skins were sometimes burned alive with the window open. Animal rights activists documented the cruel practices for years and warned of the public health risks of consuming dog and cat meat.
Unsanitary and illegal conditions
The conditions are often unsanitary and illegal. “They (the animals, mind you) are kept so close together in cages and bags that they cannot move, with their mouths tied so that they can barely breathe,” says the animal protection organization Humane Society International (HSI). The transport is often extremely long and painful. According to experts, consumption can, among other things, promote cholera outbreaks; some animals have rabies.
It is estimated that approximately one million dogs and hundreds of thousands of cats are slaughtered every year in Indonesia. Dogs and cats also end up in the cooking pot in other Asian countries such as China, Cambodia and Vietnam. In Indonesia, they are mainly eaten by Christian ethnic groups who believe the meat has healing powers or enjoys the taste. However, many Muslim scholars consider consumption a violation of religious dietary requirements.
Meat costs about three to six euros
The animals are traded for prices between 50,000 and 100,000 Indonesian rupees (three to six euros) and then sold for many times that amount to markets and restaurants. These are often street dogs, but even pets are stolen. In Indonesia, about twenty cities now ban slaughter and sales. However, some people defy all orders or move to other places.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
