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BREAKING! Indonesian Animal Trade Market Has Finally Shut Down

Years of tireless campaigning by local activists and international celebrities have finally led to a significant victory in Indonesia’s fight against the brutal animal markets where dogs and cats were bludgeoned and blow-torched alive for human consumption. The Tomohon Extreme Market, located on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, will now become the country’s first market to be completely free of dog and cat meat, thanks to the efforts of Humane Society International (HSI) and other anti-animal cruelty groups.

Source: The Humane Society of the United States/YouTube

The harrowing images of live dogs and cats being subjected to unspeakable cruelty at these markets sparked global outrage and sympathy for these innocent animals. The campaigners exposed the shocking treatment of these creatures, often stolen pets, as they were pulled out of cages and mercilessly bludgeoned with wooden batons while still alive. The animals were then blow-torched to remove their hair before being butchered and sold for consumption.

The announcement of the permanent end of this cruel slaughter and trade was made by Edwin Roring, the Regional Secretary of the city of Tomohon. He expressed the hope that Tomohon would be entirely free from the dog and cat meat trade, and he urged people to opt for more hygienic and safe animal food sources Law enforcement officers will be deployed in markets to ensure there are no more dog and cat meat sellers in the city.

The Tomohon Extreme Market had previously been considered a tourist attraction and was even listed on TripAdvisor, which had led to additional concerns about the sale of cat meat and carcasses of wild and protected species like bats, snakes, and other reptiles.

The campaign to end the live dog trade for human consumption in Indonesia was driven by the fear of rabies spreading to humans during the slaughter or contact with infected meat. In 2018, videos captured by campaigners at two markets in North Sulawesi province revealed the heartbreaking and brutally cruel treatment of these animals, generating widespread sympathy both in Indonesia and around the world.

In response to these appeals and widespread outrage, more than 90 celebrities, including Cameron Diaz, Simon Cowell, Ricky Gervais, and Moby, penned a letter along with 90 other celebrities to President Joko Widodo, urging him to close the markets. The Indonesian government finally acted, issuing a regulation stating that dog meat is not food, and local administrations should ban the trade.

North Sulawesi province, with its predominantly Christian population in the predominantly Muslim archipelago nation, had long upheld the hereditary tradition of consuming dog and cat meat, making it difficult to eradicate the practice. Thousands of dogs and cats were slaughtered weekly in the region, contributing to the urgency of ending this inhumane trade.

While Indonesia’s population is primarily Muslim, a significant percentage of the country follows other faiths that consider dog meat a traditional delicacy or believe it possesses health properties. Up to 7% of Indonesians eat dogs, with higher numbers reported in North Sulawesi, North Sumatra, and East Nusa Tenggara provinces, where the majority identify as Christian.

The ban on the dog and cat meat trade has been steadily expanding in Indonesia, with regions like Karanganyar district in Central Java being among the first to issue a formal prohibition in 2019, followed by others in 2020 and 2021. More recently, authorities in Jakarta announced a ban on trade in the capital city. However, the Tomohon Extreme Market remained a major challenge due to its prominence and history of selling dog and cat meat.

While this significant victory marks a milestone in the fight against animal cruelty in Indonesia, much work remains to be done to raise awareness and eliminate this trade from other parts of the country. The success of Tomohon demonstrates that with relentless efforts and global Support, positive change can be achieved for the welfare and protection of innocent animals. Many Asian countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia, have already banned the dog meat trade and consumption of dogs, setting a positive precedent for others to follow in the pursuit of a more compassionate and ethical society.

Sign this petition to show your Support for shutting down extreme markets and ending the consumption of dog and cat meat!

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