Many Indonesians believe that eating dog meat is good for health and tourists also want to try it, while many animals carry rabies.

The social activist organization Dog Meat-Free in Indonesia (part of the animal protection organization Humane Society International) has issued a warning that tourists can be infected with the rabies virus by eating infected dog and cat meat.

Testing on the corpses of 9 dogs sold at the market in Sulawesi, they received the result that one of them had rabies, according to News.

This also raises concerns about health safety for tourists coming to this island. Rabies can be transmitted to humans when slaughtering dogs, being bitten or coming into contact with the meat of an infected animal. Some tourists said they were even tricked into eating dog and cat meat from sellers.

This warning comes as Indonesia prepares to host the 18th Asian Games (Asian Games) in August. This event is estimated to attract 3 million visitors to the capital Jakarta. This city attracts an average of 12 million visitors each year.

Earlier this year, animal rights activists released a video with shocking images of people cruelly treating dogs and cats. They were tied up, thrown into carts, and locked in cramped iron cages before being killed and sold at the market. Their fur was singed, while the animals were still alive.

Recently, a letter containing the signatures of 90 celebrities (including actors Cameron Diaz and Ellen DeGeneres) was sent to the Indonesian president to call on the government to take urgent action in response to this situation.

Nicola Beynon, head of the animal protection organization Humane Society International in Australia, said that Indonesia is a country famous for its natural beauty. However, that beauty is being seriously affected by the ugly image of the dog and cat meat trade.

Some Indonesian people shared with the media horror and heartbreaking stories about dog and cat theft. The dog thieves took the pets from them, threatening them with revenge if they dared to react.

Some people said they were very afraid and apprehensive that the government did not take drastic action to punish and stop these dog stealing gangs.

Merry, a resident of Tomohon city, North Sulawesi province, told of an unhappy memory. “I once saw a dog thief when I looked through the upstairs window. A dog was eating bait, and the thieves were waiting. We couldn’t go out. The thieves were armed, they had rocks, bow, arrow and machete. When I opened the door, the thief intentionally shot an arrow at me.”

In 2017, an ABC investigation shocked public opinion. In that report, tourists from the West were tricked into eating dog meat in Indonesia. Luke, an investigator who goes undercover as a documentary producer, specializes in exploring local cuisine, discovers this dark side.

Luke witnessed with his own eyes thousands of dogs here being captured and imprisoned to death. Their meat is sold to tourists. For those who don’t eat dog meat, they will be fooled that this is chicken meat.

Dr. Andrew Dawson, director of the New South Wales Poisons Information Center, Australia, said that cyanide (usually found in dog bait) will not disappear when food is cooked. Therefore, they still exist in the meat of animals. When we eat the meat of those poisoned animals, it means we will face risks affecting our lives and health.

Andrew also gave an example: if tourists eat a curry dish with animal stomachs or organs, the Cyanide concentration in those parts will be very high. This can cause tourists to die.

However, eating dog meat is still not illegal in this Asian country. Many Balinese still believe that dog meat is good for health.