In my 20 years of living here I have always warned friends, associates and even family not to eat from street side vendors for various reasons.
Number one if you've ever watched these vendors you will see that most of them serve you food on a plastic plate that was just washed in a bucket with plates from other people thus spreading diseases.
I've also often said how do you know that the food is not dogmeat or even rat meat. This now confirms my concerns.
As always as always better safe than sorry.
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By: Alicia Graef
July 31, 2017
About Alicia
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Animal advocates are celebrating a major win following a historic announcement that Bali has banned the sale of dog meat after an undercover investigation exposed the horrors of the trade.
The investigation was released last month by Animals Australia, and it sparked international outrage. Between February and May, an undercover investigator infiltrated the trade and documented the catching and slaughter of dogs for their meat. Not only did the investigator expose shocking cruelty, he also brought to light how tourists are being tricked into supporting it.
“This is a profoundly distressing situation. Not only is the suffering of the dogs horrifying, tourists are unwittingly fuelling the trade. Most tourists have no idea that the letters RW on the outside of popular street food stalls in Bali indicates that dog meat is being served,” said Animals Australia’s Director of Investigations, Lyn White. “In addition, mobile dog meat vendors are deliberately targeting tourists on beaches and are prepared to lie about the origin of the meat to get a sale.”
The investigation exposed dogs being strangled, poisoned, shot and beaten to death, including pet dogs who were stolen. Although eating dog meat trade isn’t a Balinese tradition – it was brought to the island in the 1970s by a small group who came to work – it has unfortunately grown over the years.
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Aside from the cruelty involved, the dog meat trade in Bali poses a serious risk to public health, is undermining efforts to make Bali rabies free, and is putting the island’s unique heritage dogs who are valued at risk. Although the trade isn’t illegal, it has been operating in violation of both animal protection and food safety laws.
According to Animals Australia, an estimated 70, 000 dogs in Bali are killed for their meat every year, which is now served at around 75 restaurants.
After the investigation was released, public outcry was swift. Thousands of people spoke out in an effort to shut down the trade, and now they’re celebrating a major victory.
In response, Bali’s Governor I Made Mangku Pastika AO issued a historic Governor’s Decree banning the dog meat trade in Bali that went into effect immediately.
“This is a momentous decision by Governor Pastika that will not only spare many thousands of dogs from terrible suffering but will help to restore the positive relationship the Balinese people have enjoyed with their unique heritage dogs for centuries,” said White. “People from around the world have expressed their distress and concern for Bali’s dogs. We applaud the Governor for listening and taking the decisive action needed to bring about positive change.”
Although it will still technically be legal to eat dog meat, it’s still a major victory for Bali’s dogs that will hopefully lead to an entire end to the consumption of dogs. Animals Australia said in an update that it will have staff based there through its global arm Animals International, and will work to aid the government on the transition to ending the dog meat trade, in addition to working to improve the welfare of all animals on the island.
Hopefully their work will also inspire compassion for other kinds of animals who are raised and killed for meat, and encourage other nations that are slaughtering dogs for consumption to end the trade.
For more on the investigation and ways to help, check out Animals Australia.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
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