The report from France Presse after the measure which announced a stop to the food consumption of dogs, cats and bats within six months to prevent the return of rabies. «But that meat also brings benefits»
«The dog was created by God to be eaten». This was said by a customer of a market stall in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, interviewed by France Press while consuming grilled meat. Of dog, in fact. The report was released after the governor’s announcement Pramono Anung of a forthcoming ban on the consumption for human food purposes of animals that can potentially spread rabies and transmit it, as in fact dogs, gatti e bats. The ban, which will come into force after a 6-month transition, will apply to the urban area of the capital where around 42 million people live. Other cities, such as Semarang, in Java, have already adopted similar measures.
The Indonesian archipelago is one of the few countries that still allows the sale of dog and cat meat, but it is a practice that is increasingly being questioned, as is the case in many other Asian nations, where it was once widespread, but has gradually become increasingly marginal. Including China. The point is, however, that we are talking about heavily inhabited nations and therefore even small percentages of the population still represent significant quantities of people. The habits and customs are gradually changing, for most people dogs and cats are increasingly becoming pets and as such are better protected. Animal rights and humanitarian groups also push for the overcoming of certain traditions, often based on beliefs that attribute aphrodisiac or thaumaturgical powers to the meat of certain animals.
This is also the case in Indonesia, where the majority of inhabitants are Muslim and are not used to consuming dog meat. Those who do, however, point to a number of supposed benefits of eating meat. “A ban like this shouldn’t exist – says the 36-year-old interviewed by the French agency – Don’t focus only on the negative aspects, also consider its benefits”. Some communities, explains the reporter who wrote the report, are convinced that consuming dog meat increases the number of platelets in the blood, which would make it a cure for dengue, a tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes. For others, the ban will not eliminate the trade of this red meat, despite it being more expensive than beef. “You can’t get rid of it overnight, because it’s a tradition,” said Sunggul Sagala, 43.
According to the latest estimates, dated 2022, 9,500 dogs would be euthanized every month. However, no data is available on the national consumption of dog meat. Most of the animals killed in Jakarta came from West Java, where rabies is endemic, according to an estimate by the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition. In short, beyond the ethical aspects, the health risk should not be underestimated. “This new decree is a concrete example from the authorities of Jakarta, a city that also promises animal welfare,” commented Merry Ferdinandez, member of the coalition. DMFI had conducted a survey in 2021 which showed that 93% of Indonesians said they opposed the dog meat trade and wanted it to disappear.
Jakarta has eradicated rabies since 2004 and is one of 11 Indonesian provinces where the disease has been eliminated. Several establishments still sell dog meat dishes and there are at least two slaughterhouses in Jakarta, according to Friend A. SidabalHead of the Food, Maritime and Agricultural Resilience Agency. At least 19 restaurants sell dog meat in Jakarta, the agency estimates. “It is not an easy step – he added – because it is a habit, a culture, for some communities, which we hope to be able to change”.
Indonesian legislation on food and livestock does not explicitly prohibit the consumption of dog and cat meatbut according to a 2018 Ministry of Agriculture directive, dog meat is not considered a food. In Semarang, where this trade has been banned in 2022, a truck carrying over 200 dogs destined for slaughter was intercepted and five crew members arrested. In Jakarta, thetightening of controls by the authorities forced traders to sell dog meat only to a selected and trusted clientele, making it increase the price. Restaurants that previously openly offered dog meat dishes no longer do so, and their owners now refuse to mention the trade. “Buying dog meat – they now say in the city – is like looking for drugs.”
However, the fate of the stray dogs that were previously sent for slaughter remains unknown. The fear of those who oppose the decree is that they could proliferate with unpredictable consequences on the quality of life and health safety of cities.
