Last updated on August 28th, 2024 at 02:27 pm
A recent investigation found that Australian tourists were unwittingly consuming dog meat skewers during their vacations in the Indonesian island of Bali. Hundreds of kilograms of raw dog meat and dozens of skewers were seized from vendors by Bali officials despite a strict ban on the trade of such meat on the popular resort island, the Independent reported Thursday.
Seizure of Dog Meat in Bali
Public order officers in Bali’s Jembrana district impounded at least 500 dog meat skewers, and 56 kilograms of raw dog meat from different vendors after conducting a series of raids. According to Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, the head of the Bali Public Order Agency, during inspections this week, it was found that three vendors were selling dog meat despite local regulations banning the sale of dog meat.
Two of the vendors were already warned by the Bali Police for their involvement in dog meat trading.
Police Reaction
“We won’t suddenly sue them, but we are giving them the opportunity to know the ban and why it was banned. But we will process the recurrent sellers for deterrent effect. We’re not playing around,” Mr. Dharmadi said. Don’t believe in the superstitions that dog meat is healthy. That’s misleading.”
Legal Consequences and Animal Welfare Concerns
Two of the vendors are due in court in August. In Bali, strict ban on the trade of dog meat has been imposed with tough punishments to a maximum of three months imprisonment and a maximum fine of up to 50 million rupiah (£2,300, roughly) hence giving reason for the criminals to give it a second thought.
Unlike regulated agriculture, the dog meat trade continues to be built on illegal, inhumane seizure of non-food dogs, including pets stolen from their owners, community-owned dogs, and street dogs. Animal welfare organizations, including Animals International, have issued statements condemning the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat, citing the inherent cruelty of the trade. They further maintain that the dog meat trade not only subjects dogs to immense cruelty but also poses grave health and safety risks to tourists and local communities alike.
Cultural Context
Dog meat is traditionally regarded as part of the cuisine and is eaten in portions of Southeast and East Asia, such as China, Vietnam, and North Korea.