South Korean dog farmers are threatening to release two million dogs into Seoul if the government passes a ban on dog meat. Animal rights organizations have celebrated the government's plan to introduce the ban, which includes imprisonment or fines for individuals engaging in the dog meat trade. A Gallup Korea poll conducted last year found that nearly two-thirds of respondents opposed consuming dog meat. The dog farming association claims that 3,500 farms and 3,000 restaurants will have to shut down if the ban is implemented.
In Indonesia, authorities intercepted a truck in Semarang city, Java, carrying 226 dogs with their legs and mouths bound. The truck was stopped on January 6, and its five crew members were arrested. The dogs were being transported to the city of Surakarta in western Java to be slaughtered for their meat. The incident has sparked growing opposition to the dog meat trade in Indonesia. In 2023, the Tomohon market in North Sulawesi province, known for its gruesome acts of animal slaughter, was shut down after a ban on the sale and slaughter of cats and dogs was issued. Many Asian countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia, have banned the dog meat trade and consumption. Animal welfare advocates attribute this change to increased awareness and recognition of dogs as valued family members.
In Europe, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favor of prohibiting kosher and halal animal slaughter rituals if the animal is not stunned prior to slaughter. The ruling comes after a legal battle between the Muslim and Jewish communities and animal rights activists. Belgium adopted a regulation in 2017 and 2018 prohibiting the slaughter of cattle that had not been previously stunned, sparking criticism from the Muslim and Jewish communities. The Belgian Constitutional Court and the European Court of Justice had previously ruled in favor of the ban. The European Court of Human Rights has now endorsed the prohibition, stating that both regions are within their rights to impose stunning prior to slaughter. The Court recognized that the measure interferes with freedom of religion but is justified by the protection of animal welfare. This is the first time the Court has addressed whether the protection of animal welfare could violate religious freedom.
The African Union has announced a ban on the donkey skin trade, marking the end of legal slaughter of donkeys across the continent. The decision follows years of advocacy by Brooke, an international animal welfare charity. The ban protects the livelihoods of millions who depend on donkeys for survival. Donkey populations have been declining due to the demand for donkey skins used to produce ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine. About two-thirds of the world's estimated population of 53 million donkeys are in Africa, where they are used for transport and carrying goods. The ban is seen as a step towards safeguarding donkeys and the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on them. Brooke aims to work with governments to enforce the ban and rehabilitate remaining donkey populations. The ban opens the door to discussions about a global ban and sets a precedent for future animal welfare policies.
In Washington, D.C., government dogs play a crucial role in various operations. The government employs 5,159 dogs, with an additional 421 working as canine contractors. The Department of Homeland Security has the highest number of dogs, with nearly 3,000 of them mainly working at airports and for defense purposes. The U.S. Army used to handle pigeons until 1957, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has numerous research animals. NASA has famously sent monkeys into space, and the Navy utilizes dolphins and sea lions to detect mines. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) emphasizes the importance of providing good care to these dogs, including food, shelter, grooming, retirement, and exercise [e0407633].
In the district of Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, the police have apprehended a bovine smuggler and rescued two animals in the Gandoh area. The police received information about a smuggler transporting bovine animals from Icchair Dudwar towards Kashmir without permission. A case has been registered at Gandoh Police Station, and an investigation is underway. Doda Police has been cracking down on bovine smuggling, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities in the district [461137bd].