Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta has banned the sale and consumption of dog, cat and bat meat in a bid to curb the spread of rabies, city authorities announced on Tuesday.
Governor Pramono Anung confirmed the new regulation on social media, saying he had signed it on Monday.
The rules, which will come into force after a six-month transition period, target the sale of “rabies-transmitting animals for food purposes,” covering live animals, meat and processed products alike.
Businesses found in violation could face penalties ranging from written warnings to the revocation of operating licences.
Indonesia is one of the few countries where the trade in dog and cat meat is permitted, though campaigns against the practice have gained traction in recent years.
Several cities had already introduced local restrictions before Jakarta’s citywide ban.
Animal rights groups welcomed the move as a huge advance.
“This policy aligns with the mandate of the constitution to protect all Indonesian people and to become a just and civilised nation,” said Dog Meat Free Indonesia in a statement.
Rabies continues to pose a public health threat in Indonesia, claiming several dozen lives annually.
The country’s health ministry reported 25 fatalities from the disease between January and March this year.
AFP
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