Fw: Thai Dog and Cat trade

[Guest guest]

-

Roger Lohanan from Thai Animal Guardians Association (Thai AGA)

(roger2)

Saturday, June 14, 2003 1:05 PM

Dog and Cat trade

 

 

Dear Friends and collegues,

 

In case you not yet heard, Thai AGA has just been through another round with

the Dog Slaughterhouse issue in Tarae, Sakon Nakorn, a north-eastern village

of Thailand, where dogskin trade originated. This time it happenned when

one dog owner had to travel 600 kilomerters from Bangkokto retrieve a dog

stolen from her and sold to a slaughterhouse in Sakon Nakorn. She reported

to us and gave the story to the newspaper before became one of the top story

ontelevision.

 

What we thought to be just another annual Dog Eating news turned out to be a

shocking surprise. During one of the televison interviews about the issue,

we found out that the Ministry of Agriculture has quietly passed a

Ministrial Regulation which allow Dog and Cat meat and skin trades. We

immediately requested a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of

Agriculture, Soraatha Klinpatoom, who signed the regulation.

 

The Minister explained that, the purpose of the regulation is to keep animal

trade, including dogs and cats, under control through rabies control. We

have to point out the flaws to their aim. First of all, dogs and cats used

in meat and skin trade are strayed and, thus, not grew up under health

control situation like cows and buffaloes. A simple rabies shot is not

enough to prevent possible epidemic--let alone dogskin trade.

 

Secondly, instead of stoping, the regulation is accommodating dogmeat and

skin trades by making them legal. Dogs and cats could now be transported

legally with a permits. What used to be only the cacast can now be exported

alive--with a permit. Thousand of dogs are being trucked across Thai-Laos

border evryday as we discuss.

 

Thirdly, the regulation includes all farm animals plus elephants, dogs,and

cats and specifically covers both live animals and their cacasses. The

detail and application for the trade permit would be the same as other farm

animals. This would contribute nothing to preventing dogskin trade. Who

ever acquired a trade permit can sell both pet dog and dogskin. The

regulation has obvious failed to recognize this loophold.

 

Last but not least, demand for strayed dogs would tremendously increase once

legalized. Countrymen are already in habits of letting dogs breed freely

for small income from dog traders. This would set dog population control

back to the dark age. If street dogs become scarce, pet dogs will be

missing, just like the top story last week.

 

Fortunately, the Minister agreed with what we've pionted out and ordered the

Livestock in charge to (1) form a working group to draft separate rules and

application for dog and cat permits. (2) Thai AGA is also to be on the

drafting team. (3) Doc and Cat Welfare Protection is to be part of the trade

requirement. (4) Dog and cat meat as well as their cacasses are not

approvable through any permits.

 

All the dogskin traders will no doubt try to protest. What Thai AGA has to

do now is to try to make sure everything is carried out as agreed and done

withing this Minister. We don't want this to be another never ending story

like the Animal Welfare Bill also being drafted by the Livestock Department.

 

There are still the Tiger Farm, the City Elephant, Cockfight as well as the

Animal Welfare Bill we have to handle. And we are the only one dealing with

these issue and run around rescueing animals in distress in Thailand. We are

sure you all doing exactly or similarly back where you are and trying to

keep the organization running. So, please forgive us if we occationally

been out of touch or late with any response.

 

Wish us luck, because we've always wish you the same. May the force be with

us all.

 

Roger Lohanan

Thai Animal Guardians Association