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Stop the illegal trade in dog meat!
An illegal dog trade has been flourishing in Thailand for many years. Millions of dogs have been and still are illegally smuggled from Thailand via Laos to Vietnam, where they are killed for human consumption. In addition, hundreds of thousands of dogs are slaughtered in Thailand, either to supply the local meat market and/or for the production of dog leather. This is also illegal.
The “Trade of Shame” campaign was launched by the Thai animal welfare organization Soi Dog Foundation to stop this bloody business. As a permanent partner of Soi Dog, NetAP was commissioned to manage the campaign in Europe.
The dogs used for the trade are usually transported on the back of pickup trucks, often more than 160 dogs crammed together in iron cages. Finally, the animals are taken to the Mekong River, where the Vietnamese traders select the stronger animals and smuggle them across the river in boats. The weaker dogs are slaughtered in Thailand.
The dogs are loaded onto large trucks over the river in Laos, well over a thousand animals per truck. During the journey, many animals succumb to their injuries or suffocate. In fact, these are the luckier animals. The survivors often have their stomachs pumped full (similar to “stuffing” geese) to increase their weight and thus generate more revenue.
The dogs are often tortured (e.g. beaten with iron bars, burned with a Bunsen burner) and boiled alive in the belief that the increased adrenaline production makes the meat more tender. It is also common practice to kill and cook the dogs in front of their waiting conspecifics, so that the other animals have to watch what is about to happen to them.
There are various film documentaries about these practices. We are not publishing this material because the scenes are incredibly brutal and most people cannot cope with them.
Traditionally, the dogs come from the poor regions in the north-east of Thailand. There, they are often traded for plastic buckets, as a plastic bucket is a luxury product for the people there. However, because the demand for dog meat has increased so much in recent years, the traders’ henchmen are now traveling all over Thailand and stealing private dogs and dogs living in temples. Genuine strays are often difficult to catch, so the traders don’t bother. It is trust in humans that is the dogs’ downfall. As dogs in Thailand live on the streets like our outdoor cats, they are particularly easy prey at night when their owners are asleep.
Many years ago, it was common in poor areas for the population to eat everything simply to survive, including dogs, cats and rats. Today, however, dog meat has become a delicacy. It is said to have an aphrodisiac effect. Other superstitions, such as the warming effect of dog meat from black dogs, also contribute to the demand. Dog meat is not cheap. Even in areas of Thailand where it is sold openly, a kilo costs 200 Thai baht (approx. 7 dollars). In comparison, a kilo of chicken costs 49 Thai baht, less than a quarter. Eating dog meat is dangerous. In Vietnam, where the trade is not banned, the meat costs much more and the business is totally unregulated. There are no hygiene regulations! In addition, outbreaks of cholera and rabies have been linked to the dog meat trade. In Thailand, there have been outbreaks of trichinosis in areas where dog meat is consumed, although no direct link has been established.
Studies have shown that the majority of the population is unaware of this trade. A survey of informed people showed that 90% were against the consumption and trade. Dog meat is only consumed in a few areas, but one cannot be sure that dog meat is not mixed with other meat and served to unsuspecting consumers.
For a long time, we assumed that this illegal trade was limited to dogs. Since July 2013, however, we have known that cats are also victims of the trade. In a raid, 92 cats were freed from a transporter shortly before crossing the Mekong River. This is now an additional challenge for us, as the rescue centers are not equipped for cats.
Yes! Within Thailand, we work with local authorities to put a stop to smugglers. However, this is associated with high costs, as the confiscation of thousands of dogs means that we also have a responsibility to care for them. The state does not pay for the dogs. The aim of the “Trade of Shame” campaign is to shake up the Thai population as well as international animal lovers in order to get the government to finally take responsibility and stop the trade once and for all. Those responsible for the trade are known to the authorities. These people are criminals and this business is only possible through corruption. It is estimated that more than 300 million Swiss francs are generated by this trade every year. By allowing the trade, the government is encouraging the spread of rabies, even though Thailand, as a member of ASEAN, has decided to eradicate rabies by 2020.
As the dogs are often “temporarily stored” for days in very confined spaces before being loaded onto the transporters, many have already contracted distemper, parvovirus or other diseases. Exposed to the elements, many animals also suffer from pneumonia. Many animals die soon after being rescued. The others are neutered if they are healthy, and a few are lucky enough to be rehomed locally. Many will spend their lives in the rescue centers. We are trying to expand these stations so that they can live in a more or less species-appropriate environment.
In Buriram, 10 animal shelters are being built for a total of 5000 dogs from the dog meat trade. Soi Dog is the leading organization for this project. In Buriram there is space, trees and it is accessible by car from Bangkok. We can be there regularly and the government employees are motivated and friendly to the animals. Khemmarat will be closed.
Together with Soi Dog and other animal welfare organizations as well as privately organized animal rights activists, we are fighting the illegal trade in dog meat. Undercover investigators have been infiltrated into the scene to inform the authorities when and where illegal dog transportation is taking place. The traders suffer losses as a result of the seizures. As a result of the numerous confiscations, the number of abducted dogs has fallen. We are in constant contact with the authorities and police.
The confiscated dogs in the rescue centers need medical care, food, vaccinations and must be neutered. NetAP finances in particular the castration of the animals and provides financial support for the procurement of food and vaccines and other necessities. NetAP vets are always working on site to help the animals.
International attention is necessary in order to build up pressure on the government so that it finally assumes its responsibility. NetAP has been able to win over numerous newspapers, magazines and television stations for this cause. Support from other organizations is also necessary to build up international pressure. NetAP has succeeded in winning the support of numerous well-known organizations for the campaign. NetAP has also co-financed the film “The Shadow Trade”. This will be shown to a wide audience in March 2014 in order to attract even more attention and increase the pressure.
First and foremost, we need financial resources to put an end to this trade. This will pay the undercover investigators and finance food, accommodation and medicine for the confiscated dogs. Donations of air miles are also very welcome so that we can deploy more specialists on site. Or support the project as follows: