We believe it is crucial that SPCA Namibia and its Branches make our position clear on the matter of eating dogs. We do not support or condone the slaughter of dogs for human consumption. There are three core reasons for this position:
Current methods of dog slaughters are inhumane,
Dogs’ long-standing role as companion animals, and
Public health risks associated with the consumption of eating dog meat.
Background
In Namibia, there has historically been and are instances of human consumption of dog meat. However, this is by no means as to say that all Namibians nor any specific group of individuals partake in the practice of eating dog meat.
There has recently been a lot of publicity around a particular case regarding a dog named Dalton, who was stolen and slaughtered for human consumption in Rehoboth. The SPCA Windhoek reached out to the owner shortly after the incident and provided guidance and assistance in how to open an animal cruelty case, make other relevant charges, and offered any further support that the owner may have needed. Since then, other organizations have reached out to the owner and offered support. For this, the SPCA is appreciative, as cases like these deserve to be highlighted.
Recently, the SPCA has been made aware of a joint statement released by a number of other animal welfare organizations in regards to a SPCA representative’s comments in an interview. The comments were taken out of context and we are disappointed that neither further reporting media or these fellow animal welfare organizations reached out to the SPCA for comments and clarification on the matter.
Dalton was a beloved pet and our condolences are extended to his family. Losing a pet under normal circumstances is difficult, but under circumstances like Dalton’s is unimaginable for many of us and probably one of our worst nightmares. We remain committed to assisting where we can.
Current dog slaughter methods are inhumane
The current methods of dog slaughter, as reported to a number of SPCAs in Namibia, have been through beating, bludgeoning, and hanging of dogs to death. The Animal Protection Act of 1962 states that:
“Offenses in respect of animals
2. (1) Any person who -
(a) cruelly overloads, overdrives, overrides, beats, kicks, goads, ill-treats, neglects, infuriates, terrifies, tortures or maims any animal; or
(b) confines, chains, tethers or secures any animal unnecessarily or under such conditions or in such a manner or position as to cause that animal unnecessary suffering or in any place which affords inadequate space, ventilation, light, protection or shelter from heat, cold or weather; or
(q) causes, procures or assists in the commission or omission of any of the aforesaid acts
or, being the owner of any animal, permits the commission or omission of any such act; or
(r) by wantonly or unreasonably or negligently doing or omitting to do any act or causing or procuring the commission or omission of any act, causes any unnecessary suffering to
any animal,”
All of the above actions are considered an offense under the Animal Protection Act of 1962, and should any dog slaughter or attempted dog slaughter be reported to the SPCA with sufficient evidence, the SPCA will take action and open up an animal cruelty case.
Dogs’ long-standing role as companion animals in human lives
Dogs are often referred to as ‘man’s best friend’ and their roles in human lives take many shapes and forms; from pure companionship to service and emotional support, guarding, herding, search and rescue, and service within security and police efforts. The domestication of dogs is considered to have started well before any other animal domestication with its real domestication starting around 14,000 BC. Modern research shows that dogs have a unique ability to read social cues presented by humans, even superseding that of primates, setting dogs aside from many other domesticated species.
Public Health concerns associated with eating dog meat
Dogs are one of the only species consumed by humans that are omnivores and that will eat other animals, animal remains, and animal, including human, excrement. This sets dogs aside from other land animals such as commonly consumed livestock.
The World Health Organization warns that the slaughter and consumption of dogs poses human health risks for zoonotic disease transmission, including trichinellosis (intestinal parasites, larvae, that sits in the muscles of the dogs), cholera, and rabies. Animal meat for human consumption at abattoirs undergo testing for various diseases. If people slaughter dogs and eat them without proper meat inspection, there is no telling what they might end up getting from it.
Conclusion
In summary, the SPCA Namibia and its Branches do not support or condone the slaughter of dogs for human consumption for the following core reasons:
Current methods of dog slaughters are inhumane,
Dogs’ long-standing role as companion animals, and
Public health risks associated with the consumption of eating dog meat.
We hope this clarifies the SPCA's stance on the matter of dog slaughter for human consumption. We are committed to animal welfare and our constitutional objectives which include the promotion of the humane treatment of animals and the prevention of all acts of improper treatment of animals.
For anyone coming across the inhumane slaughter or the attempted inhumane slaughter of dogs or any other species, please feel free to report it to your nearest SPCA. We will continue to assist where we can.