The Dog Meat Trade and Rabies Transmission

There is mounting evidence- spanning over two decades- of the role the trade in dogs destined for human consumption plays in rabies transmission as it encourages the mass movement of dogs of unknown disease and vaccination status to be transported long distances, between provinces and across international borders. This mass movement increases the risk of the spread of the disease plus infection to handlers who are at a high risk of being bitten and scratched. Such mass and unregulated movements of dogs are in contravention to recommendations and guidelines by leading human and animal health experts.

Furthermore, studies have revealed a high positive incidence of rabies-infected dogs in restaurants, slaughterhouses, and markets throughout the region.