Dogs for dinner: Vietnam slaughters five million canines a year

The people of Vietnam slaughter at least five million dogs for food each year, according to Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA) - but those figures are just an estimate. China is the only Asian country with a higher consumption of dog meat than Vietnam, with an estimated 10 million canines slaughtered every year, according to ACPA data. At an animal rights conference in Ho Chi Minh City at the weekend, ACPA Vietnam coordinator said the main sources for dog meat in Vietnam are dogs smuggled from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, in addition to domestic pets that are stolen.

We believe that the real number [of dogs killed] must be larger, because no country has regulations or laws that control the dog meat trade.

Le Duc Chinh, coordinator of the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA) Vietnam

The event gathered more than 60 animal experts and activists who delivered speeches and presented thoughts on the welfare of three groups of animals, namely pets, farm animals, and wild animals. There are five principles of animal welfare, including no starving, no mental and physical pain, no sickness, no nervousness, and the freedom to express instincts. Although the government has policies regarding wild animals, especially bears, there are no specific regulations on wild animal welfare.

The definition of animal welfare is still strange and vague in Vietnam. Through this conference, I want to make the public understand more that any animal, any creature, needs to be satisfied with its basic welfare. Even if it is raised for food, it doesn’t deserve to suffer unnecessary pain.

Vi Thao Nguyen, Co-Founder of Yeu Dong Vat (Animal Love) Vietnam organization

Asia-Pacific