The modern city of Shenzhen, China, recently announced a ban on eating dogs and cats, and the national Chinese government announced an end to the human consumption of dogs, cats and wildlife throughout the country, with the agriculture ministry having released a draft policy that would forbid the trade in dog, cat and wildlife meat. It is a virtual certainty that this will be enacted into law.
In a statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, published on April 8, 2020;
"As far as dogs are concerned, along with the progress of human civilization and the public concern and love for animal protection, dogs have been 'specialized' to become companion animals, and internationally are not considered to be livestock, and they will not be regulated as livestock in China," Dogs and cats are specifically forbidden to be used for meat in a list of animals designated as livestock by the Ministry.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the increased risk of zoonotic diseases (Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans). Scientists have estimated that 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals, including many of the worst diseases humans have faced in recent years: SARS, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, MERS, Avian Flus and now COVID-19.
Other diseases such as rabies, spread by dogs and cats are still significant human health issues in Vietnam. In coordination with Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung of the Hanoi People’s Committee and the Hanoi Department of Animal Health, Soi Dog Foundation International shall shortly carry out a survey of all locations slaughtering and selling dog and cat meat within Hanoi. Tests have been carried out showing that over 3% of dogs slaughtered for meat in Hanoi are carrying rabies. This is shocking. The conditions at illegal slaughter houses and open markets where animals, including thousands of dogs and cats are killed, are totally unhygienic and the perfect places for diseases to be spread. In another words, the risk of transmitting dangerous diseases from these dogs and cats is no less than the risk of transmission from wildlife.
Soi Dog Foundation International has been working with the Hanoi Department of Animal Health, under the direction of the Hanoi People’s committee to end the consumption of dogs and cats in the Greater Hanoi area. Hanoi wishes to be seen as a modern progressive city such as Singapore, and understands the stain that the dog and cat meat industry puts on the city. This is also true of the entire country of Vietnam. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is seen as a rapidly expanding modern country. Allowing wildlife, dogs and cats to be traded, often illegally from other countries such as Cambodia, which has the highest incidence of rabies in the region, and with no health checks being carried out, will certainly lead to future disease outbreaks and harm the reputation of an otherwise great country.
The current situation provides a perfect opportunity to end the industry on public health grounds alone. The Government would be seen as taking steps to protect its citizens. Soi Dog Foundation International is committed to helping provide training in humane animal population control, and provide help in other areas as well.
Dogs and cats have never been recognised as livestock in Vietnam, which is why there are very few laws governing the capture, transportation and killing of them. Indeed, much social unrest has occurred because so many dogs are stolen from their owners, resulting in violence between thieves and villagers, which is regularly reported throughout the world. Please consider outlawing the consumption of dog and cat meat in The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as well as the trade in wildlife, and send a message to the world, that Vietnam is doing all in its power to prevent further outbreaks of zoonotic diseases and taking steps forward in ending animal cruelty.
Yours respectfully,
John Dalley
President, Soi Dog Foundation International