Jakarta to ban dog meat as younger Indonesians turn away from old traditions

Governor Pramono Anung said the new regulation, expected to be finalized within a month, would make it illegal to sell, serve, or trade dog and cat meat, Mothership reported.

"The dog meat trade situation in Jakarta is very concerning, and urgent action is needed to ban it," he said after meeting with Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) representatives at City Hall on Oct. 13.

Jakarta has been rabies-free for 21 years and is one of just 11 of Indonesia's 38 provinces with that status. Authorities hope the ban will help maintain it as Indonesia works toward eliminating rabies nationwide by 2030.

While dog meat has become less common in recent years, around 9,000 dogs are still slaughtered for consumption in Jakarta each month, according to the Jakarta Post. Animal welfare advocates say many of these dogs are stolen pets or poisoned strays.

Francine Widjojo, a Jakarta city council member and founder of the Animal-Friendly Jakarta initiative, said the proposed ban aligns with national food safety laws and a moral duty to prevent cruelty, Kompas reported.

Public sentiment has also shifted. Younger Indonesians increasingly see dogs and cats as companions rather than food, and animal rights campaigns have gained traction across major cities.

Still, some restaurateurs argue the ban unfairly targets traditional communities. Dog meat, often referred to as B1, rica guguk, or even "Scooby-Doo," is believed by some to have health benefits and is commonly served as saksang in Batak cuisine.

"We get the meat from wild dogs in Sukabumi, not pets," said Lastri, a restaurant owner, who insists she still keeps dogs at home as companions, The Straits Times reported.

Medical experts, however, warn there is no scientific evidence supporting the alleged health benefits. Epidemiologist Dicky Budiman said consuming dog meat carries high risks of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, salmonellosis, and parasitic infections. The unregulated supply chain is a "time bomb" for the spread of new diseases, he added.

Pramono said that once the ban takes effect, it will be strictly enforced through on-site inspections.