Ban on Dog and Cat Meat Trade: Focus on Early Passage of Animal Welfare Bill

Indonesia currently lacks clear regulations that explicitly prohibit the trade of dog and cat meat, leading to a complex web of issues concerning law, public health, food safety, and animal welfare. Various groups are highlighting that the inclusion of the Draft Law on Animal Protection and Welfare in the National Priority Legislation Program for 2026 could serve as a significant milestone for animal protection, including addressing the trade of dog and cat meat. In principle, the trade of dog and cat meat already violates Law No. 18/2009 concerning Animal Husbandry and Animal Health, along with its amendments and derivatives. However, a lack of explicit prohibition and enforcement leaves the issue unresolved. Furthermore, the trade of these animals does not meet food standards and poses a potential risk for the spread of zoonotic diseases, particularly rabies. Benedikta Erica, Policy Drafting Coordinator for Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI), stated that there are currently over 280 zoonotic diseases, with rabies being one of the most fatal, boasting a 99.9% fatality rate once clinical symptoms appear. "The issue of banning the dog and cat meat trade is not merely about pitying the dogs and cats. It goes beyond that, involving serious legal, public health, and zoonotic disease threats," she said during a discussion in Jakarta recently. According to her, the dog and cat meat trade amplifies the risk of disease transmission because the distribution chain operates without adequate veterinary health supervision. "Indonesia has a target to be rabies-free by 2030. However, this trading practice poses a serious threat to that target." The trade of dog and cat meat involves numerous legal violations, ranging from animal theft, illegal transportation, falsification of veterinary documents, to violations of animal quarantine laws. A significant portion of these animals, she noted, are sourced through theft, trapping, or poisoning. During transportation, these animals are often subjected to inhumane conditions, leading to dehydration and other suffering. This article was originally published on Mongabay