Until late last week, Tomohon Traditional Market in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, played host to an array of abhorrent practices towards animals. Ambassadors from the Humane Society International (HSI) reported seeing live dogs and cats “bludgeoned and blow torched” in preparation for slaughter while their traumatised cage-mates watched, anticipating a similar fate (The Standard HK).

In 2018, largely in response to documentaries and publications exposing the abuse, local and international celebrities joined forces with animal welfare organisations; appealing to Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo in a signed letter urging him to abolish the sale of dog and cat meat at the market. Signatories included Cameron Diaz, Simon Cowell, and Indonesian musical talent Anggun. Activists’ persistent efforts paid off last Friday when Tomohon mayor, Caroll Senduck signed breakthrough legislation prohibiting the current and future sale of dog and cat meat at Tomohon Traditional Market (Humane Society I). All remaining live animals have been transported to sanctuaries, and law enforcement officers will henceforth be deployed to patrol the market.

While animal cruelty is the primary reason activist groups have been pushing for closure, rabies transmission is another major concern. Canine and feline meat is generally more unhygienic and unsafe for human consumption (Humane Society II). Market sellers also peddle carcasses of endangered, exotic, and high risk species including “pythons, bats, and rats” sparking concern that Tomohon may be a hotspot for future novel disease outbreak (Four Paws). It is unclear, however, as to whether any action has been taken against this aspect of trade.

Around 90 percent of Indonesians are of Muslim faith, and since dog meat is considered haram, Tomohon is an unlikely regional hub for the trade. Only 7 percent of the population say they have eaten or intend to eat dog meat in their lifetime. Such statistics magnify the senselessness of the killings. Shockingly, the market was previously hailed a ‘must-see,’ ‘top tourist attraction’ for the region on Trip Advisor (Change for Animals). Although this status has since been removed, glorifying and normalising violence towards animals is extremely problematic. Children frequenting the market are susceptible to developing mental and behavioural issues later on. Moreover, it paints cat and dog meat farming as a lucrative business, encouraging individuals to create or continue similar markets elsewhere.

Parallels are evident between Tomohon and other animal markets in China and South Korea; dubbed the ‘last big [global] economies’ to facilitate the consumption and trade of dog and cat meat. Up to 30 million dogs are slaughtered for sale each year in China, South Korea and other Asian nations. The current first lady of South Korea, Kim Keon-hee has been outspoken in her efforts to stamp out canine farming in the country, and candidates for the upcoming election from both ends of the political spectrum have included similar goals in their manifestos (SCMP News).

Kim has remained strong in the face of criticism from canine farmer coalitions, who argue that she should stay politically neutral and is jeopardising their livelihoods (SCMP News). To the latter argument, Kim proposes that traders receive support in switching profession or industry; a change which is already taking place in the aftermath of the Tomohon Market crackdown. There, one former dog meat seller reported that he would replace his stocks with pork.

But while change is palpable in South Korea, the same cannot be said for China. The most recent Lychee and Dog Meat Festival in Yulin, Guangzhou went ahead as planned. International, and increasingly domestic, welfare groups have previously intercepted trucks transporting hundreds of dogs to execution (The Guardian) and staged rescue missions (Humane Society III). However, broad legislative change is yet to be implemented. As in Tomohon, many animals killed in Yulin are stolen pets, adding a level of criminality and tort to the festivities.

Most Yulin residents very rarely consume dog meat, and less than 20 percent of the population oppose a ban, so why does business continue? Perhaps one explanation is an element of tradition and spirituality to dog meat consumption lingering among the elderly generation that has proved difficult to strike out. However, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand lead by example; preceding Indonesia in dog and cat meat bans.

The elevated status of dogs and cats as companion animals in recent years has contributed to societal mood shifts. Increasing awareness of animal welfare and disease among younger generations may be the key to lasting change.

*note: if you would like to support the safe journey of a rescued Yulin slaughterhouse dog from China to America, or adopt one yourself, resources are linked below*

https://nodogsleftbehind.com/adopt/

https://www.duoduoproject.org/sponsor-a-dog

Courtesy of: Saskia Sinha