Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, has implemented a ban on the sale and consumption of cat, dog, and bat meat to minimize the risk of rabies transmission, announced the city’s governor on Tuesday. Governor Pramono Anung revealed that the regulation was signed on Monday, with a six-month grace period before enforcement. The new regulation prohibits the sale of ‘rabies-transmitting animals’ for food and extends to live animals, meat, and all related products. Violations can lead to various sanctions, including license revocation.
Indonesia is one of the nations where the sale of dog and cat meat is still permitted, although public opposition has grown considerably. Several cities have already established local bans on such practices. Dog Meat Free Indonesia, an animal rights advocacy group, commended the government’s decision, stating that it aligns with the nation’s duty to protect its citizens and uphold a just and civil society.
The World Health Organization reports that rabies claims the lives of several dozen Indonesians annually. According to Indonesia’s health ministry, there were 25 recorded deaths due to rabies between January and March 2025. Despite dogs being considered unclean in Muslim-majority Indonesia and rarely kept as pets, dog meat remains a culinary specialty in some regions. It is also valued as an affordable source of protein in various Asian countries.
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