Bali is a popular destination for Western and Australian tourists. Attracting both budget backpackers and luxury honeymooners, it’s the most developed Indonesian island.
But according to a new report, visitors to the island are being duped and unknowingly eating dog meat that they think is chicken.
Animal protection organisation Animals Australia recently conducted an investigation into the matter, entitled “Bali’s hidden meat trade – and its disturbing connection to Australian tourism.”
They found that every day, dogs – including pets – are being taken off the streets of Bali and killed, often brutally, to be sold as meat to tourists.
“Dumped in bamboo crates or plastic rice sacks, terrified dogs await the nightly slaughter with legs tied and mouths taped shut,” Animals Australia say.
“They may languish like this for hours or days without food or water. One by one they will be brutally slaughtered in full view of their companions, reports Independent.
“And business is booming. Year on year, seven times more dogs are slaughtered in Bali than in China’s notorious Yulin Dog Eating Festival.”
It’s reportedly street food vendors who are most likely to be selling dog meat as chicken, but about 70 restaurants in Bali have been found to sell dog meat too.
Often it’s sold with the word “satay,” and the sellers allow tourists to presume it’s chicken.
“Tourists will walk down a street, they’ll see a street store selling satay but what they are not realising is the letters RW on the store mean it is dog meat being served,” Animals Australia campaign director Lyn White told the ABC.
“Poisoned meat is entering the food chain.
“The dog-meat trade breaches animal cruelty laws and food safety laws. That is a statement of fact,” she said.
