A Jakarta restaurant owner says business has never been better — but she’s not celebrating. Ms. Lastri, who sells traditional Batak-style dog dishes like saksang and dog soup, has seen rising demand as competitors shut down. Yet, her thriving trade may soon end, with the capital city preparing to outlaw dog and cat meat to fight rabies and promote animal welfare.
“I keep dogs as pets myself,” she insists, “but we only use meat from wild dogs, not pets.”
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung confirmed the city will issue a formal ban within a month, following pressure from animal rights groups. The move mirrors a nationwide shift, with more Indonesians—especially the younger generation—seeing dogs as companions, not cuisine.
Still, loyal customers argue the ban ignores tradition and alleged “health benefits,” with some believing dog meat boosts recovery from illness. But health experts warn that consuming such meat risks spreading rabies and bacterial infections.
According to Dog Meat Free Indonesia, about 8,000 dogs are slaughtered in Jakarta each month—many stolen or trafficked from rabies-endemic regions. Activists hope Jakarta’s move will spark similar bans nationwide, ending Indonesia’s controversial dog meat trade for good.
