Indonesia Issues First 10-Month Prison Sentence to Dog Meat Trader... Animal Protection Group Says "It Means No More Dog Meat Trade"

"First-ever Dog Meat Trial in Indonesia"

Dogs rescued after being taken to a slaughterhouse for consumption. Photo by Yonhap News · Instagram @dogmeatfreeindonesia

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As awareness of animal welfare increases, the 'ban on dog meat consumption' is becoming a global trend, and an Indonesian court has attracted attention by sentencing a dog meat trader to 10 months in prison. This is the first time in Indonesia that a dog meat trader has been prosecuted and given a prison sentence. Animal protection groups have welcomed this as a "groundbreaking ruling."

According to Indonesian media such as the daily Kompas on the 22nd (local time), the Kulonprogo Court in Yogyakarta, Central Java, sentenced dog meat trader Mr. A (48), who was charged with animal cruelty, to 10 months in prison and a fine of 150 million rupiah (approximately 12.51 million KRW) on the 18th.

Eddy Samaputi, spokesperson for the Kulonprogo Court, stated, "This is the first time such a trial related to dog meat has taken place."

On May 6, the Indonesian police stopped Mr. A's truck passing through Kulonprogo Regency. The police found 78 dogs tied up in sacks at the back of Mr. A's truck. The dogs were intended for consumption, and Mr. A planned to deliver them all to a slaughterhouse.

However, 10 of the dogs died due to lack of food and water, and 6 more died shortly after being rescued. The remaining 62 dogs have been moved to a dog protection center in Yogyakarta and are receiving treatment.

An animal rights organization that has been campaigning against dog meat has expressed its welcome for this ruling. Photo by Yonhap News Agency·Instagram

Although 87% of Indonesia's population are Muslims who consider dogs unclean and do not eat dog meat, some non-Muslims reportedly enjoy dog meat as a delicacy.

Regarding this, the organization 'Dog Meat Free Indonesia' (DMFI), which has been campaigning against dog meat in Indonesia, said, "This is the first time the police have rescued dogs sold for consumption and the first time such a case has been prosecuted in Indonesian history," adding, "This ruling is a strong message from the judiciary to stop dog meat trading."

Meanwhile, South Korea is also facing ongoing controversy over 'dog meat consumption.' Currently, the only dog market still operating is Chilseong Market in Buk-gu, Daegu. Originally, Chilseong Market, along with Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and Gupo Market in Busan, were considered the 'three major dog markets' in the country, but as interest in animal welfare has grown, the number of bosintang (dog meat soup) businesses has significantly decreased. However, some citizens still seek dog meat as a 'traditional health food,' so the controversy over dog meat consumption is expected to continue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.