In January Animals International Bali began research, and a series of visits in Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan Regency and Denpasar City. The aim of the visits was to collect sociodemographic data, educate and convince dog meat traders to stop the activity.

In April, the Badung Agriculture and Food Service and Animals International organized a Focus Group Discussion on “The Impact of the Dog Meat Trade on Tourism and Culture”. This resulted in recommendations to stakeholders to enforce and issue regulations supporting the closure of the Dog Meat Trade. In response to the recommendation, 2 customary villages in Badung Regency issued customary village regulations banning the Dog Meat Trade.

Research studies and visits continued to cover all regencies and cities in Bali.

The absence of specific legislation hampered the closure visits, therefore in October, UNUD’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University’s School of Veterinary and Life Science, and Animals International organized a Focus Discussion Group “Synchronization, Implementation and Enforcement of Animal Welfare Laws in Bali – Ending the Dog Meat Trade”. A draft animal welfare legal framework relevant to the Dog Meat Trade was developed and validated by the UNUD Legal Team.