Jakarta's Ban on Dog and Cat Meat Divides Residents as City Moves to Protect Rabies-Free Status

Sitting alone at an empty street stall in Jakarta, 36-year-old Alfindo Hutagaol finished a plate of rice, green sambal and grilled dog meat — a dish the city's new regulation will soon outlaw.

Jakarta's government this week announced a ban on the trade of animals that can transmit rabies, explicitly naming dogs and cats alongside bats, monkeys and civets. Authorities have given a six-month publicisation period before enforcement begins; penalties may range from written warnings to revocation of business licences once the rule takes effect.

Why the ban?

Officials say the measure is intended to protect Jakarta's rabies-free status, which the capital has held since 2004. Hasudungan Sidabalok, head of the city's food resiliency, maritime and agriculture agency, described the ban as part of broader efforts to reduce public-health risks posed by the slaughter and consumption of animals that can carry rabies.

Support from animal-welfare groups

Animal-rights advocates welcomed the move. Merry Ferdinandez of the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition called it "a real commitment from the Jakarta government" and said the ban could encourage similar policies elsewhere in Indonesia. A DMFI-commissioned poll in 2021 found that 93% of respondents supported banning the dog meat trade.

Culture, tradition and concern

But the regulation has exposed social tensions. While many Indonesians (especially Muslims) do not eat dog meat, it remains a culinary tradition in some communities and is even believed by some to serve as a home remedy for illnesses such as dengue fever. "There should be no such prohibition," Alfindo said. "God created it to be eaten. Don't only look for the negative side, but also look for its benefits too."

"The trade can't be eliminated suddenly," said 43-year-old Sunggul Sagala, calling dog meat consumption a tradition for some communities.

Traders and consumers say heightened oversight has already pushed the market underground: restaurants that once advertised dog meat no longer do so, sellers work through trusted contacts, and prices have risen — in some cases exceeding the cost of beef.

Practical challenges

Authorities have not yet outlined detailed procedures for enforcement or how animals that would otherwise be sold should be handled. Advocates warn that bans can create problems for traders and animals alike: a comparable prohibition in South Korea left some traders struggling to rehome animals that could no longer be sold. Some consumers fear enforcement could drive demand toward Jakarta's stray dog population.

Regional coverage also remains an open question. The Jakarta regulation applies only to the capital; consumption and trade continue in other parts of the country, particularly in provinces where rabies remains endemic. A DMFI study estimated roughly 9,500 dogs were brought into Jakarta in 2022 for consumption, many captured from streets in nearby West Java.

Officials say the six-month window will be used to publicise the new rule and prepare further enforcement details. For now, the announcement has intensified debate about balancing public health, animal welfare and cultural practices in one of the world's most populous cities.