HUMAN SECURITY IN ANIMAL WELFARE: AN ANALYSIS OF HEALTH SECURITY CONCERNS IN THE DOG MEAT TRADE IN INDONESIA

Abstract

This study seeks to examine how health security concerns are leveraged to save dogs from the dog meat trade in Indonesia. Despite increasing scrutiny, the consumption of dog meat persists in certain cities in Indonesia. Efforts to stop this practice remain challenging due to entrenched cultural traditions, widespread misconceptions about the health benefits of consuming dog meat, and economic dependence of many individuals on this trade for their livelihood. Nevertheless, a growing number of regional governments have started imposing bans on the dog meat trade to curb dog meat consumption. At least 80 cities, regencies, and provinces across Indonesia have introduced such bans. This progress leads to this research question: "Why have more regional governments chosen to ban the dog meat trade?" To address this question, this study employs a qualitative method, combining interviews and literature reviews for data collection, with human security theory in place. This study finds that the surge in regional bans is largely driven by health security concerns raised by the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition. Through both online and offline campaigns, public rallies, and lobbying activities, DMFI emphasized the health risks, particularly the threat of rabies, associated with the dog meat trade. These advocacy efforts have heightened awareness and placed pressure on local authorities to enact regulatory bans aimed at protecting communities from the health security threats linked to dog meat consumption.