Considered Jamu Or Medicine, Central Java Provincial Government Collaborates With Religious Leaders Intensively In Education To Stop Dog Meat Consumption

Central Java Secretary Sumarno while attending the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) International Veterinary Training event. (ANTARA/HO-Humas Central Java Provincial Government)

SEMARANG - The Central Java Provincial Government cooperates with religious leaders in educating the public and intensifies the campaign to stop consuming dog meat.

"We involve various parties such as preachers, the Ministry of Religion, the Health Office, as well as activists and dog lovers to campaign and educate the public regarding the prohibition of consuming dog meat," said Regional Secretary of Central Java Province Sumarno in Semarang, Antara, Monday, June 13.

Sumarno said the current problem is how to educate the citizens. Because consuming dog meat is not just eating but is considered herbal or medicine. It takes great effort in education.

"Therefore, we also encourage education to the public with a religious approach," he said while attending the Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) International Veterinary Training event.

According to the Regional Secretary, the involvement of ulama is considered important in order to prevent the rampant dog trade for consumption in various regions, especially in Islamic religious law, dog meat is haram.

"So, collaboration between ulama and DMFI needs to be done so that people no longer consume dog meat," he said.

DMFI, he continued, could explain from a scientific point of view about the dangers of consuming dog meat, as well as from the Ministry of Religion taking an approach from a religious perspective, so that there is an explanation from a scientific and religious perspective, so it is more effective in preventing it.

No less important is the district/city government's efforts to prevent it through education and the application of local regulations regarding the prohibition of the dog trade.

The regencies/cities that have enacted the regulation include the Regency and City of Magelang, Semarang City, Jepara Regency, Sukoharjo Regency, Temanggung Regency, and Purbalingga Regency.

"We also continue to encourage regencies/cities that have not been intensively educating the public. We know why God forbids eating dog meat, because there are many scientific risks that can transmit viruses and so on," he said.