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    Southeast Asian governments pledge to end dog meat trade

    Published on 19/09/2013

    » Officials to work with animal welfare coalition Asia Canine Protection Alliance Government officials from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have pledged to end the inhumane, commercial trade in dogs for meat. The trade 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 dog traders causing pain and suffering to the dogs involved and posing health risks to humans. The trade in dogs for meat involves movement of dogs of unknown disease and vaccination status, impeding rabies elimination efforts in the region. Countries are failing to comply with their own national animal disease prevention measures, and are not following recommendations for rabies control and elimination by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health and the trade has been linked to outbreaks of trichinellosis, cholera and rabies. The World Health Organization recently cited the trade as a contributing factor in recent outbreaks of rabies in Indonesia and cholera in Vietnam. Government officials agreed to work to end the trade at a recent meeting in Hanoi with animal welfare coalition Asia Canine Protection Alliance. Concerned about the spread of rabies, officials said they would enact a moratorium on the commercial transport of dogs from one country to another for the next five years. In that time, authorities will measure the impact of a moratorium on rabies transmission in the region. (In Thailand, where the trade is illegal, authorities agreed to better enforcement of existing regulations.) 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 added, “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 noted, “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.” Animal protection organisations, under ACPA, will work with officials, helping to provide financial assistance, expertise and other resources as needed. ACPA is made up of Change for Animals Foundation, Humane Society International, Animals Asia and Soi Dog Foundation. “Canine rabies remains endemic in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia,” it was pointed out by Lola Webber, programmes leader, Change for Animals Foundation. “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, “The trade is not about a desire to maintain culture or custom. The trade is profit-driven and poses a risk to human health. In addition, throughout Asia and globally, there is mounting concern for animal welfare and overwhelming evidence documenting the inherent cruelty in all stages of the trade—from sourcing, transport, sale to slaughter.”

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