Southeast Asian Governments Take Steps to End Dog Meat Trade

Asia Canine Protection Alliance urges governments to enact moratorium

In Hanoi, Vietnam, officials from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, concerned about the spread of rabies, have agreed to consider a five-year moratorium on the commercial transport of dogs from one country to another to end the inhumane trade in dogs for meat. If a moratorium is enacted, the impact on rabies transmission in the region will be measured. In Thailand, where the trade is illegal, an agreement to better enforce regulations was made. 

Southeast Asian Governments Take Steps to End Dog Meat Trade

Attendees met with animal welfare coalition Asia Canine Protection Alliance at a meeting in Hanoi where they agreed to discuss approval of the moratorium recommendations among their respective governments. ACPA is made up of Change For Animals Foundation, Humane Society International, Animals Asia and Soi Dog Foundation acting both locally within Asia and internationally. ACPA will provide financial assistance, expertise and other resources as needed.

The commercial trade in dogs for meat is responsible for slaughtering an estimated 5 million dogs for human consumption per year. Thailand, Cambodia and Laos supply dogs for the trade into Vietnam, where they are slaughtered and consumed. Dog meat production has evolved from small-scale household businesses to a multi-million dollar industry of illicit traders that causes animal suffering and poses a health risk to humans.

The trade in dogs for meat is thwarting rabies elimination efforts. Countries aren’t complying with their own national animal disease prevention measures, nor are they following global recommendations for rabies control and elimination. In the trade, dogs of unknown origin and background are stolen from the streets, many of whom are pets, and transported without food or water, over long distances, from one country to another. Many dogs carry diseases, and transport conditions increase the possibility of disease exchange, including rabies.

 

Quotes from Participants:

Pornpitak Panlar, with the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health in Thailand said:

“We cannot change culture or habit, but we should stop the smuggling of dogs. This meeting was important to urge government agencies to see the problems caused by the dog meat trade and discuss a platform to stop the spread of rabies.”

Nguyen Thu Thuy, deputy director, Department of Animal Health in Vietnam said:

“The [rabies] situation has become more severe – especially this year. One of the main reasons is the illegal cross-border trade of dogs.”  

Boonseub Chemchoig, chief inspector general, Ministry of Interior, Thailand said:

“We never allow the transfer of dogs from Thailand to Vietnam for the purpose of consumption. We are still seeking solutions as the border between Thailand and other countries is long and difficult to manage considering the illegal trade. We are trying.”

Lola Webber, Programmes Director, Change For Animals Foundation, said:

“Rabies remains endemic in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Ending the illegal trade in dogs destined for human consumption is a crucial component of national and regional rabies control elimination programmes.”

Kelly O’Meara, director of companion animals and engagement, Humane Society International, said: 

“Rabies and other communicable diseases, such as cholera and trichinellosis, represent a major public health threat throughout Asia. An end to the trade will help human health and help save the lives of countless dogs who suffer in the trade. Evidence makes clear the inherent cruelty in all stages of the trade---from sourcing and transport, to sale and eventual slaughter.”



Tuan Bendixsen, Vietnam director, Animals Asia, said: 

“While the dog meat trade is not illegal in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the international trade in dogs is illegal if health and vaccination documents cannot be provided for each dog. As the trade involves hundreds of dogs in each transport, it is impossible to have proper documents for all of dogs, or properly check each dog before a border crossing. This trade must be stopped.”



John Dalley, vice president, Soi Dog Foundation, said: 

“This is not a debate about culture or custom. This is an issue of human health. The trade we are seeing in the region is profit-driven and is not motivated by any desire to maintain a culture. It is also worth noting that no country in the world has explicitly legalised the production of, trade in and consumption of dog meat.”

Posted in ACPA News

Video: End the Dog Meat Trade - MP's Briefing at the House of Commons, January 2015

ACPA

ACPA’s focus is to end the trade in- and demand for- dogs from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam to supply the demand for dog meat and associated products.

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