Yesterday’s announcement that the government would legalize the sale of dog meat in the capital has been met with mixed reactions. Obviously, there are many people who would like there to be no dog meat sold or consumed in Jakarta that are unhappy with the move.
But Jakarta Governor “Ahok” Basuki Tjahaja sees the policy as one that is necessary, despite the fact that he does not like dog meat himself, specifically because of the stories he heard growing up in East Belitung.
“I don’t like to eat dog, I like hot dogs. Why do I not eat dog? In my village, it was said that people who eat dogs will start howling like a dog all the time. Secondly, if you eat a dog, then if you go in the river, you will be eaten by crocodiles,” Ahok said with a laugh today at City Hall, as quoted by Tribunnews.
On a serious note, Ahok reiterated the fact that he was regulating dog meat because it was so widely consumed in Jakarta (in fact, residents of Jakarta consumes more dog meat than those of any other city in Indonesia). Right now, that meat is procured and butchered under extremely cruel and unsanitary conditions that would not only horrify animal lovers but also puts those who consume dog meat at risk of contracting rabies and other diseases, as shown by this video from the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)
(WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY OF THE MOST EXTREME NATURE POSSIBLE)
Ahok said that legalizing the sale of dog meat in Jakarta would allow the government to strictly regulate its production and consumption.
“Just like beef. Later those (caught supplying dog meat infected with rabies) can be punished. We will working together with the Jakarta Police,” Ahok said.
By some estimates 40 dogs are slaughtered each day in Sukabumi, West Java, and then imported for consumption in Jakarta.
Regulation is a step in the right direction, but if you think want to see an end to the distribution of dog meat in Indonesia, you can support JAAN’s ‘Dogs are not food’ campaign and/or sign this petition urging state and regional governments to make dogs illegal for consumption.
