JAKARTA: Jakarta plans to ban the trade of dog and cat meat to curb rabies risks and promote animal welfare, a move welcomed by activists but opposed by some local businesses citing cultural and economic concerns.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung announced the proposed ban earlier this week, following a meeting with animal rights coalition Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI), whose report found that at least 9,000 dogs are slaughtered for consumption in the city every month.
“Dog meat is not for consumption in Jakarta,” Pramono told reporters at the City Hall on Monday.
“I’ve asked the City Hall to prepare [the ban], and we hope the decree will be ready within a month, banning the trade of dog and cat meat in Jakarta.”
The ban aims to support the city’s ongoing anti-rabies campaign while strengthening its commitment to animal welfare.
Jakarta is among the few provinces in Indonesia officially declared rabies-free by the Health Ministry, thanks to widespread and mandatory vaccination programs.
Cruel butchery In Indonesia, dogs and cats are not classified as livestock, and there are no explicit laws banning their trade.
As a result, dog meat consumption remains widespread, particularly in communities where it is considered part of local tradition or an alternative protein source.
Animal rights groups have long criticized the practice, particularly the often-hidden cruelty involved in dog butchery.
Thousands of dogs, mostly sourced from West Java and Bali, are caged and transported to Jakarta each month. According to DMFI national coordinator Karin Franken, these animals are frequently beaten before being slaughtered.
“Countless dogs have been tortured to death for meat production,” Franken said on Thursday,
“The widely transported stray dogs are often blamed as a major cause of rabies in Indonesia.”
Franken also noted that two slaughterhouses in Jakarta, located in East Jakarta’s Cibubur and Cawang, supply traditional Batak restaurants known as Lapo with dog meat dishes such as saksang, a preparation of dog meat cooked with grated coconut and spices.
One Lapo owner in Cawang, who requested anonymity, opposed the ban, saying it threatens both their livelihood and tradition.
“We never bother anyone. We have our own market,” the owner said.
“The ban doesn’t make any sense. If the government cares about these dogs, they should care to control the stray populations without bothering our businesses.”
Health concerns Veterinarians have highlighted that the main risk of rabies from dog meat arises not from consumption itself, but from exposure during butchery.
Viral diseases, including rabies, are transmitted through the saliva of infected animals via bites, scratches or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes or mouth.
Muhammad Munawaroh, chairman of the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI), said the ban is justified, citing “uncontrolled dog trading increases the likelihood of rabies outbreaks”.
He further noted that most meat suppliers reportedly slaughter stray, unvaccinated dogs.
Symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, headache, insomnia and muscle aches, progressing in later stages to hydrophobia and photophobia, or the fear of water and light, before death.
City council member Hardiyanto Kenneth supports the governor’s plan, which he said was highly relevant to Law no. 18/2012 on Food and Law no. 41/2014 on Livestock and Animal Health.
“We all understand that Jakarta is home to diverse ethnicities, religions and cultures. Within this diversity, it is important for us to uphold shared ethical standards that ensure safety, hygiene and respect for other living beings,” he said, as quoted by Antara. – The Jakarta Post/ANN
