Help save dogs from torture and death: tell Hanoi to stick to its promise to ban dog meat

As the world’s second-largest consumer of dog meat, around five million dogs are abused, tortured, and killed for food every year in Vietnam, with Hanoi considered the dog meat capital of Asia. Many of these animals are illegally rounded up off the streets in neighbouring countries. Others are animal companions who have been stolen from their loving families - people even fear their dogs being snatched from them while out on a walk.

Once captured, the dogs are held down and force-fed in an attempt to “fatten” them up ready for slaughter, before enduring a horrific journey in overcrowded crates to the slaughterhouse where they are brutally killed. Some of these helpless animals don’t even survive the journey. They succumb to starvation, dehydration, disease, or injury, and despite this, their decaying bodies are still barbecued and sold for profit. Those who do make it to the slaughterhouse are then drowned, bludgeoned, or hung from their neck until dead - sometimes they are even skinned while still alive. This all takes place in full sight of their canine companions who are next in line to die. 

Changing Tastes

But thankfully, tastes are changing fast with 88% of people polled in Vietnam supporting a ban on dog meat. Dog meat restaurants remain popular, particularly among older generations, but a rise in animal companionship and a younger ‘Instagram-generation’ are leading the country away from the so-called delicacy. And in 2018, Hanoi made headlines after officials announced a dog meat ban that would be in full effect in the city centre by 2021. The director of the city's Department of Health revealed plans for a directive that would "gradually phase out the killing and trade of dog meat" in central Hanoi, particularly in major tourist districts - a move applauded by animal rights activists in Vietnam and throughout the world. 

But years and years later, dog meat restaurants are still going strong in the country’s capital, meaning that dogs are still being tortured and butchered for their meat.

Cruel To Animals, Dangerous For Us

Not only is the dog meat trade immensely cruel, it also poses a serious global health risk: health officials have increasingly spoken out on the dangers of eating rabies or parasite-infected dogs, with government-led campaigns urging the public to stop eating dog meat. Moreover, slaughterhouses are disgusting, unsanitary places, and the perfect breeding ground for zoonotic diseases like COVID-19. With the world still in the grips of a deadly pandemic likely caused by our collective reliance on animal products, an end to this trade can’t come fast enough.

Take Action Now

Join Species Unite in reminding the Vietnamese government of their commitment to phase out dog meat in Hanoi. Sign this petition to urgently push for a ban on the cruel and dangerous dog meat trade in Hanoi and the rest of Vietnam - by speaking out together, we can help end this ruthless practise for good.

And remember, whether a dog, a pig, a chicken, or a fish, all animals are intelligent, emotional beings who experience pain and fear much the way humans do. No animal deserves to suffer a horrific death, so take a stand for ALL animals today by choosing delicious animal-free food instead.