The Tomohon Extreme Market on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi has ceased the sale and slaughter of dog and cat meat, marking a significant victory for animal rights activists. The market, previously known for its brutal treatment of animals, will be the first of its kind in Indonesia to become dog and cat meat-free.
The announcement was made by Tomohon's mayor, Caroll Senduk, and signifies the culmination of a long campaign by local activists and international celebrities. The Humane Society International (HSI) played a crucial role in this effort, and they are now working to rescue the remaining animals from slaughterhouse suppliers and relocate them to sanctuaries.
The Tomohon Extreme Market was once promoted as a tourist attraction, even appearing on TripAdvisor. However, its notoriety stemmed from the inhumane treatment of animals, including the sale of cat meat and the carcasses of protected species like bats, snakes, and reptiles. Graphic images and videos of dogs and cats being bludgeoned and blow-torched while still alive sparked global outrage.
HSI and Indonesian organizations under the banner of Dog Meat Free Indonesia have been campaigning to end the dog meat trade, citing concerns about rabies transmission to humans during slaughter or consumption. The campaign gained momentum in 2018 when videos surfaced showing the horrific treatment of dogs in North Sulawesi markets. These videos depicted dogs being pulled from cages, bludgeoned, and then blow-torched to remove their fur.
The inhumane practices at these markets were described as "brutally cruel" and likened to "walking through hell," garnering widespread sympathy and prompting international celebrities, including Cameron Diaz, Ellen DeGeneres, Simon Cowell, Ricky Gervais, and others, to appeal to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to shut down the markets. Their letter emphasized the suffering endured by the animals, many of whom were stolen pets.
Following the international outcry, Indonesia's central government issued a regulation declaring dog meat unfit for human consumption and urged local administrations to ban the trade. Several regions responded by implementing bans, starting with Karanganyar district in Central Java in 2019, followed by other regions and Jakarta in March 2023. However, the dog and cat meat markets persisted on Sulawesi until this recent ban in Tomohon.
While Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, a religion that considers dog products forbidden, a small percentage of the population, primarily in Christian-majority provinces like North Sulawesi, consume dog meat as a traditional delicacy or for perceived health benefits. Several Asian countries and territories have already banned the dog meat trade, setting a precedent for Indonesia to follow.
