The idea that dogs and cats aren’t food is set to culminate into actual law in Jakarta, with activists celebrating the Indonesian capital’s commitment to finally ban the trade in the province.
Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) said in a press release published today that the Jakarta Provincial Government, through the Jakarta Food Security, Marine and Agriculture Office, is set to issue a regional bylaw outlawing dog and cat meat as food in the capital, which would make Jakarta the 21st Indonesian province to do so.
Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono is also going to publish an official circular banning dog and cat meat trade.
Indonesia’s existing Food Security Law allows for the consumption of meat from farm animals, but does not explicitly ban the consumption of dog or cat meat. The onus has been placed on regional governments to ban the trade using regional bylaws.
Prominent anti-dog meat campaigners Ricky Gervais, Kim Basinger, and Peter Egan recorded video messages thanking Governor Heru and the Jakarta Provincial Government for what will be a huge step forward in eradicating dog meat trade in the country and beyond.
Lola Webber, DMFI international coordinator, echoed their delight.
“Banning dog and cat meat in Jakarta is hugely significant, not just because thousands of animals are killed for the trade in this city, but also because this means Jakarta understands that the cruel trade presents risks in spreading rabies,” she said in the press release.
“Jakarta’s status as a rabies-free province is also at risk from the trade, as thousands of dogs with unknown health conditions are transported into the city each day.
“We hope that the Indonesian government will take the steps to ban this cruel trade forever, so that no dog or cat will experience such cruelty in the future.”
An investigation by DMFI revealed that in Jakarta, 340 dogs are being slaughtered for their meat each day, which translates to 9,520 dogs per month. Around 95 percent of these dogs were transported from West Java, where rabies is still an endemic disease.
In Indonesia, more than 1 million dogs and cats are slaughtered each year for their meat. Many of the animals are stolen from homes and from the streets.
Separately, Webber told Coconuts Jakarta that meetings with the authorities will be held this month to finalize the bylaw and circular.
“We have been meeting with many different departments, including law enforcement, who are truly committed to making Jakarta dog meat free,” she said.
“We will, of course, be working closely with them to make sure words result in actions!”
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