The coalition Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) has presented three legislative proposals to the House of Representatives to ban the trade of dog and cat meat in the country.
If approved, these laws would establish specific standards to protect these animals at a national level and would align Indonesia with five other Asian countries that have already banned this trade.
Legal Protection against Animal Cruelty
DMFI has campaigned for several years and has conducted over 25 investigations into networks of dog and cat trafficking and slaughterhouses in Indonesia. Despite their efforts, the country still lacks a national ban.
Health Hazard
The dog meat trade is closely linked to the spread of rabies, as it involves moving dogs without knowing if they are sick or vaccinated, complicating vaccination campaigns and increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Public Opinion and Surveys
A survey showed that 93% of Indonesians are in favor of banning dog meat nationwide, and 88% believe the issue should be a priority for all political parties in the country.
Three Regulatory Projects
- National Law for the Elimination of Violence against Companion Animals: Aims to protect animals from various forms of abuse and prohibit any activity related to the trade of dog and cat meat.
- Government Regulation for the National Ban on the Trade of Dog and Cat Meat: Would explicitly ban the trade of meat from these animals for both businesses and private consumption.
- Presidential Regulation on the Trade of Meat from Rabies-Transmitting Animals: Supports Indonesia’s efforts to eradicate rabies by 2030, by creating a specialized task force to monitor and investigate the trade of dog and cat meat.
These legislative proposals offer a vital opportunity to eliminate the brutal and dangerous trade of dog and cat meat in Indonesia, safeguarding the welfare of people and animals.
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