Police in Central Java successfully intercepted a truck transporting 226 dogs bound for Solo, Central Java, on a Saturday night in January 2024.
The dogs, found with their mouths and legs tied, were intended for slaughter, revealing the ongoing struggle against the consumption of dog meat.
The operation, which unfolded at the Kalikangkung Semarang Toll Gate, led to the immediate apprehension of five individuals associated with the truck.
Semarang Police Chief Commissioner Irwan Anwar confirmed the arrest of the truck’s crew, who were under investigation at the time.
Irwan Anwar made it clear that the suspects would face charges under animal husbandry health laws, potentially resulting in a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Christian Josua, Chairman of Animals Hope Shelter Indonesia, revealed the chilling details of the trafficking scheme.
He revealed that buyers awaited the dogs’ arrival on the roadside, where the animals were transferred to pickup trucks for further distribution.
The price of the dogs varied based on size, ranging from Rp 50,000 to Rp 250,000 (roughly $3.45-$17.24 USD) per dog, with the meat fetching approximately Rp 40,000 ($2.76 USD) per kilogram.
In a separate incident, Semarang city administration had previously issued a circular banning the dog meat trade, effective since February 2022.
