Jakarta's Controversial Ban on Dog Meat Consumption
The Indonesian capital of Jakarta has ignited a fierce cultural debate after implementing a comprehensive ban on the trade and consumption of dog meat. The new legislation, which also extends to cats, bats, monkeys, and civets, targets animals known to transmit rabies and represents a significant victory for animal welfare campaigners.
Authorities confirmed the ban this week, making Jakarta one of the last major urban centres to outlaw the practice. The city's food resiliency, maritime and agriculture agency head Hasudungan Sidabalok stated the move forms part of ongoing efforts to maintain Jakarta's rabies-free status, achieved in 2004.
Traditional Eaters Voice Concerns Over Cultural Erosion
At an empty stall in the capital, lifelong dog meat consumer Alfindo Hutagaol expressed his dismay while eating his final legal meal of rice, green sambal and grilled dog meat. "God created it to be eaten," Hutagaol argued. "Don't only look for the negative side, but also look for its benefits too."
He voiced a troubling prediction that dedicated consumers might resort to hunting stray dogs to satisfy their tastes if the legal supply disappears. This concern highlights the potential unintended consequences of the prohibition.
Another traditional eater, Sunggul Sagala, emphasised the deep-rooted cultural significance of dog meat consumption in certain communities. "It can't be eliminated suddenly due to some traditions," Sagala noted, pointing to the dish's historical use as a natural remedy for dengue fever in Indonesian culture.
Underground Trade and Enforcement Challenges
Despite the official ban, authorities acknowledge the practice won't disappear overnight. Sidabalok confirmed that 19 restaurants still serve dog meat dishes, with at least two slaughterhouses operating in the Jakarta area. The trade has largely existed underground even before the ban, with no open advertisements for dog meat products.
Sunggul Sagala described the current market situation, noting that "purchasing dog meat is like looking for drugs" due to its scarcity and underground nature. This clandestine trade has driven prices above beef, creating an expensive luxury for determined consumers.
Businesses continuing to sell dog meat after the six-month grace period will face sanctions ranging from written warnings to complete revocation of operating licenses. However, enforcement remains challenging in a market that has always operated discreetly.
Animal Welfare Victory and Public Health Protection
The Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition, which lobbied extensively for the ban, celebrated the decision as a major step forward. Coalition representative Merry Ferdinandez called it "a real example and real commitment from the Jakarta government as a global city that also advances animal welfare."
Public opinion appears to support the ban, with a 2021 DMFI poll indicating that 93% of Indonesians rejected the dog meat trade and supported its prohibition. However, a subsequent study revealed the scale of the ongoing trade, with approximately 9,500 dogs brought into Jakarta for consumption in 2022 alone.
Most concerningly, these animals predominantly originated from the streets of West Java, where rabies remains common. This transportation of potentially infected animals into the rabies-free capital posed significant public health risks that the ban aims to eliminate.
The move follows similar prohibitions in other Indonesian regions, including Semarang in Central Java, which banned the trade in 2022. Last year, Semarang authorities arrested five people after intercepting a truck carrying more than 200 dogs destined for slaughter.
As Jakarta implements this controversial ban, questions remain about how authorities will handle animals that no longer have buyers, echoing problems faced in South Korea where similar legislation left traders with unsellable animals difficult to rehome.
