Shocking Dog Meat-Free Indonesia exposé leads to launch of action plan to eliminate brutal dog meat trade in Karanganyar regency, Java.

Indonesia’s Regency of Karanganyar in Java has pledged an action plan to end its brutal dog meat trade, following a shocking investigation by campaign coalition Dog Meat Free Indonesia, of which Animals Asia is a member.

The action plan includes closing all 21 stalls selling dog meat in the regency and the creation of alternative livelihoods for those people currently reliant on the trade. The local government plans to host a meeting with the traders and vendors to announce the ban and to discuss alternative livelihood opportunities, a first of its kind in Java.

The Dog Meat-Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition’s investigations showed dogs being beaten and strung upside down to bleed out while still conscious, and in full view of other terrified dogs bound and caged who await their turn.

The horrific footage prompted renewed calls for urgent action by campaigners, national and international celebrity ambassadors and concerned citizens from throughout Indonesia and the world. 

The action being taken in Karanganyar will save almost 2,000 dogs each month from slaughter, and campaigners are optimistic that this will mark the start of a nationwide movement to tackle this illegal and dangerous trade.

When announcing the development of an action plan Regent of Karanganyar Regency Drs. Juliyatmonodenounced the trade, warning of the grave risks to public health it poses.

Drs. Juliyatmono, M.M, Regent of Karanganyar Regency said:

“In order to prevent various diseases caused by dog meat consumption, we will soon take action to close all dog meat stalls in Karanganyar, so humans can co-exist in harmony with the environment and all living creatures.”

While dog meat is consumed by some for its perceived health properties, in reality the dog meat trade poses a significant and very real threat to public health, with rabies transmission being of particularly grave concern.

Research shows the highest prevalence of rabies occurs in provinces and regencies with the highest dog meat consumption., bringing with it devastating consequences for human health, animal welfare and the local economy.

As an ever-growing number of countries and territories in the region and around the world take action to tackle the dog and cat meat trades, global public and political communities are becoming increasingly intolerant to the industries. 

With Indonesian presidential elections having taken place on April 17, campaigners hope now is the time for the government to prioritise this issue on grounds of public health and safety as well as animal welfare, and fulfill its pledge to take action to tackle the trade.

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