Hanoi’s directive includes calling for campaigns to discourage the entrenched habit of dog and cat meat consumption. - PHOTO: PIXABAY via The Straits Times/ANN
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): To safeguard public health and promote more ethical practices, the Hanoi authorities issued an important directive in a major move towards eliminating dog and cat meat trade across the Vietnamese city’s districts.
The Hanoi sub-department of animal husbandry, fisheries and veterinary services’ comprehensive directive outlines a multi-pronged strategy. It involves strict enforcement and cooperation across multiple government agencies and mobile inspection teams.
Citing the grave risk posed by the recent rabies outbreak across Vietnam, the directive emphasises the urgent need to prevent such a public health crisis in Hanoi. There have been 102 rabies outbreaks in 29 provinces and cities causing human fatalities.
A core focus of the directive is to enhance rabies vaccination rates to over 90 per cent among the pet dog and cat population through a concerted drive by the veterinary authorities.
Strict monitoring and tough penalties have been mandated for any illegal trade, transportation, slaughter or sale of dogs and cats for meat purposes. Mobile inspection teams will be deployed at key transportation routes to systematically intercept and halt any unauthorised movement of live dogs and cats.
Critically, the directive calls for extensive public awareness campaigns using mass media to educate residents about the dangers of rabies, the need for responsible pet management practices, and to discourage the deeply entrenched habit of dog and cat meat consumption.
Hanoi also aspires to cultivate more compassionate attitudes towards animals.
By designating “rabies-safe zones” where the dog and cat meat trade is completely eliminated, this pioneering directive aims to transform Hanoi into a tourist-friendly city aligned with international standards for animal welfare and food safety.
While presenting challenges to long-held culinary traditions, the municipal government hopes robust enforcement combined with shifting societal values will culminate in Hanoi joining world cities that have banned dog and cat meat consumption.
Director of international advocacy at the Soi Dog International Foundation Rahul Sehgal said: “Soi Dog, as a technical support organisation facilitating this pioneering campaign, commends Hanoi’s progressive directive against the dog and cat meat trade.
“This initiative demonstrates a commitment to aligning Vietnam’s capital with contemporary global standards. We will continue providing various assistance to facilitate this move going forward.”
This directive serves as a catalyst for change and provides the impetus to ultimately eradicate the dog and cat meat trade, with the aim of positioning Hanoi as a progressive leader in this sphere among Vietnamese cities. -- VIETNAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
