Animal rights activists claim that the Indonesian government has not followed through on its commitment to banning cruel dog and cat meat markets.
Activists have shared images showcasing the harsh conditions at these markets, with reports of animals being subjected to beatings and even burned alive.
WARNING: This article contains disturbing images.
The Dog Meat-Free Indonesia (DMFI) campaign has highlighted an ongoing brutal meat trade at the ‘extreme market’ in Tomohon City, despite assurances from the government to prohibit it back in August.
INDONESIA DOG MEAT MARKET: a distressing scene showing a dog fully conscious and in agony https://t.co/UrMQ5QThNV #saynotodogmeat Please RT pic.twitter.com/azW32CNi3F
— saynotodogmeat (@saynotodogmeat) July 28, 2014
Lola Webber, the director of the Change for Animals foundation, expressed shock at the cruelty witnessed, stating, “Every dog and cat we saw at the extreme market in Tomohon was being mistreated while clearly still alive.”
In Indonesia, thousands of dogs are slaughtered daily for their meat. Let’s put an end to this. Join me and @HSIGlobal for the #DogMeatFreeIndonesia campaign to urge President Joko Widodo to halt the dog meat trade https://t.co/AwBjtClOcP pic.twitter.com/MXBrp0ds8h
— Daisy Fuentes Marx (@DaisyFuentes) May 24, 2018
Alive and Burned
Footage obtained by ABC corroborates these allegations, revealing horrifying scenes of dogs and cats being burned alive in the market. The unsanitary conditions pose health risks to all visitors and could lead to the spread of diseases like rabies.
As part of the Dog Meat-Free Indonesia coalition, HSI is intensifying efforts to end the dog meat trade in Indonesia, where such gruesome acts occur regularly. Please sign the petition urging President Joko Widodo to stop this cruelty: https://t.co/b9HS6m75D0 pic.twitter.com/LEBWaSCfhy
— Humane Society International (@HSIGlobal) January 24, 2018
“While the Indonesian government has acknowledged the cruelty and health hazards of this trade, our recent evidence underscores the urgent need for an immediate ban,” stated an activist.
The appalling meat trade has garnered global attention, with over 940,000 signatures on the DMFI petition and support from 90 celebrities, such as Cameron Diaz and Ellen Degeneres, in favor of the activists’ ban.
Disturbing images from Indonesia’s cat and dog meat markets shed light on the extreme animal cruelty ongoing despite promises of enforcement https://t.co/Be0BTfm2Q1 pic.twitter.com/IZtFI0BLkN
— Animals1st (@Animals1st) September 5, 2018
Human Health Concerns
Apart from the barbaric treatment of animals, these markets also pose significant health risks to humans.
“The persistence of dog and cat meat markets in North Sulawesi undermines Indonesia’s efforts to maintain its rabies-free status and exposes millions to disease risks,” explained Dr. Katherine Polak of DMFI.
These cruel markets not only perpetuate animal abuse but also endanger human health. Let’s hope the Indonesian government acts swiftly and fulfills its pledge.
Help raise awareness about these atrocities by sharing this post and supporting the campaigns of animal rights activists through your advocacy.
