To demonstrate global solidarity to end Indonesia’s brutal dog and cat meat trade, animal campaigners in 11 cities―including Sydney―and across five continents, recently submitted a 700,000-signature petition to the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate.
The petition urges Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto to support the passage of the Animal Protection and Welfare Bill currently being debated, to ban the trade that sees more than a million dogs and countless cats stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for human consumption every year. If passed into law, Indonesia would become the sixth nation or territory in Asia to explicitly ban the cruel trade.
Campaigners from Humane World for Animals and FOUR PAWS―members of the Dog Meat Free Indonesia coalition―submitted the petition at Indonesian embassy and consulates in almost a dozen countries around the world.
Campaigners submitted petitions to officials in Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, South Korea and Thailand.
“Indonesia is the top overseas holiday destination for Australians, attracting more than 1.6 million of us each year,” said Georgie Dolphin, Humane World for Animals Australia’s program manager for animal welfare.
“So, a ban on Indonesia’s dog and cat meat trade through its Animal Welfare and Protection Bill is urgently needed to protect the public health of both citizens and tourists from zoonotic disease risks and prevent animal cruelty.
“Our petition submission in Sydney and across 10 other cities worldwide demonstrates global solidarity with campaigners and legislators in Indonesia who are determined to end this cruel and dangerous trade, and with pet lovers who are increasingly concerned that their canine and feline companions are at risk of being stolen for the meat trade unless the law makers take action.”
