In July 2023, the Bali Governor enacted Regional Regulation Number 5 of 2023 concerning Implementation of Public Order, Public Peace and Community Protection, which included a groundbreaking ban on the Dog Meat Trade and Distribution (DMTD). This regulation is the first of its kind in Indonesia, specifically addressing the cruelty and health risks associated with the dog meat trade. Sintesia Animalia Indonesia has played a crucial role in supporting this regulatory effort by closely collaborating with the Bali Government, particularly the Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja (Satpol PP Community Police), to investigate and combat DMTD. Through an extensive research project, Sintesia developed effective strategies to help eliminate this inhumane practice.
The organization has also taken an active role in educating the public on the dangers that DMTD poses to human, animal, and environmental health. This campaign has highlighted the serious “One Health” implications of the dog meat trade, emphasizing that it endangers not only animal welfare but also public health and environmental sustainability. As a result of the collaboration between Sintesia and the Satpol PP Community Police, 103 out of 106 identified dog meat outlets in Bali have been successfully closed. The closure of these outlets marks a significant step toward eliminating the practice across the island.
Apart from the cruelty involved, the dog meat trade contradicts Bali’s predominant Hindu culture, which reveres dogs, and poses a threat to the island’s tourism industry. Recognizing these challenges, Sintesia developed comprehensive technical guidelines and supporting documents that explain the reasoning behind the ban and offer practical solutions for enforcement. These materials have become essential tools for both educational campaigns and enforcement activities led by the Satpol PP.
To ensure that Satpol PP officers across Bali are fully prepared to enforce the new regulation, Sintesia organized a series of workshops. These workshops provided in-depth training to Satpol PP members from every district and municipality in Bali, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to uphold the ban and protect both public health and animal welfare. The collaborative efforts between Sintesia Animalia Indonesia and the Bali Government demonstrate a unified commitment to ending the cruel dog meat trade, protecting public health, and preserving Bali’s cultural integrity. Through education, enforcement, and strategic partnerships, Bali has made significant progress in curbing DMTD, setting an example for other regions in Indonesia to follow.