Jakarta, Indonesia has imposed a total ban on the sale and use of dog meat, cat meat, and bat meat in order to prevent the spread of rabies.
Jakarta Special Region Governor Pramono stated on social media on the 25th: “I have signed this regulation... prohibiting the sale of animals capable of transmitting rabies as food.”
He indicated that the ban covers “live animals, meat, and other raw and processed products,” and prohibits any “activities involving the consumption of animals that transmit rabies.”
According to the relevant documents, Pramono signed the regulation on the 24th, setting a 6-month grace period after which it will be formally enforced.
Violators may face penalties, including written warnings and revocation of business licenses.
Indonesia is one of the few countries that allows the sale of cat and dog meat, but in recent years there has been growing opposition to this practice, and some cities have issued local bans.
World Health Organization data shows that dozens of people die from rabies in Indonesia each year. According to a report from Indonesia's Ministry of Health, there have already been 25 rabies deaths between January and March this year.