Dog meat banned in Siem Reap, the tourist town that became Cambodian ‘linchpin’ of controversial trade

[geovalin]

• Animal rights groups say 3 million dogs were slaughtered each year in Siem Reap but the practice has descended into ‘anarchy’
• The maximum penalty for dealing in dogs for slaughter as food is now five years in prison, while fines range from US$1,700 to US$12,200

 

 

The Cambodian tourist town of Siem Reap has banned the dog meat trade, a victory for animal rights campaigners who describe the area as the “linchpin” of an industry that slaughters millions of creatures each year.

Dog meat, a cheap source of protein, is eaten in several Asian countries, including Cambodia , although it is much more popular in neighbouring Vietnam.

But animal rights group Four Paws has identified Siem Reap province – home to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex – as a hub for the trade within the kingdom, where they say 3 million dogs are butchered annually
 

read more https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3092310/dog-meat-banned-siam-reap-cambodian-linchpin-controversial

[steven100]

If they get them from thailand it's gotta reduce the soi muts. Making it safer for the elderly and young children to walk free from being chased or bitten by these pests.

So now not in Siem Reap. 

[snoop1130]

Cambodian tourist province bans 'alarming' dog meat trade

By Prak Chan Thul

 

Dogs are seen inside a cage at a slaughterhouse in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, October 25, 2019. Picture taken October 25, 2019. FOUR PAWS/Handout via REUTERS

 

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian province popular with tourists has banned the trade and slaughtering of dogs for meat, saying that canines are loyal and capable of protecting property and even serving in the military.

 

Siem Reap province, home to the ancient Angkor Wat ruins, is the first place to issue such a ban in Cambodia, where an estimated three million dogs a year are slaughtered for meat.

 

Siem Reap, visited by more than 2 million tourists annually, has been identified as a dog meat hotspot responsible for the large-scale sourcing and trafficking of Cambodian canines, according to animal welfare group FOUR PAWS.

 

Tea Kimsoth, director of the provincial Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries department, said demand was driven by foreigners, especially South Koreans, who are among the most frequent visitors.

 

"Dog meat has been a lot more popular following the arrivals of foreigners, especially among the (South) Koreans," Tea Kimsoth told Reuters, describing the trade as "alarming".

 

"They like it, that's why it led to restaurants serving it, so now we ban it."

 

Anyone caught selling dog meat would be made to sign an agreement not to do it again, then fined for repeated offence.

 

The ban says dogs should not be slaughtered because they are loyal pets capable of protecting homes and farms and of assisting military.

 

Despite numerous campaigns against it, the eating and trading of dog meat still takes place in some parts of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, even though canines are loved as family pets https://reut.rs/322flYm.

 

Among the biggest consumers of trafficked dogs is Vietnam, where some believe eating dog meat brings good fortune.

 

Katherine Polak, head of FOUR PAWS Stray Animal Care in Southeast Asia, called the ban historic and reflective of public sentiment.

 

"We hope that Siem Reap will serve as a model for the rest of the country," she said.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-08

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[rupert the bear]

so long as the animals are slaughtered in an efficient and humane manner and the food served is done so in a hygenic manner as with other meats theres no problem.who are we to say you can eat a pig cow goat etc but not a dog.dogs have been food animals here as long as cows so.......if you dont like the culture stay in PC land

[Dap]

"Alarming" to who? Those who never had a clue in the first place (?) or lying/acting surprised politicians. Been part and parcel of the culture for as long as people have been attempting to survive. Might've been a clue with "tourist" province, eh?

Edited July 9, 2020 by Dap

[Burma Bill]

Interesting that this has come to prominence now that there are no Chinese tourists in Siem Reap!

My Khmer landlord has 3 dogs as pets, next door has 2 as guard dogs and there are others in our Soi as "permanent" residents. 

Edited July 9, 2020 by Burma Bill
additional information