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Australian tourists tricked into buying dog meat kebabs, satay in Bali: investigation finds

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Australian tourists are being duped into buying dog meat in Bali, according to an undercover investigation by animal rights group Animals Australia.

Shocking footage has emerged of street dogs being slaughtered in the open street, then allegedly being sold as "chicken" satay or kebabs to unsuspecting tourists on the beach.

Tourists are allegedly being sold dog meat masquerading as chicken on the beaches of Bali. Photo: Animals Australia
Tourists are allegedly being sold dog meat masquerading as chicken on the beaches of Bali. Photo: Animals Australia
Dog meat is allegedly being sold as satay. Photo: Animals Australia
Dog meat is allegedly being sold as satay. Photo: Animals Australia

It is not illegal to eat dog meat in Indonesia but Animals Australia's director of investigations, Lyn White, said the practice ignored both animal cruelty laws and food safety standards.

She said that some dogs are poisoned - posing a risk to humans who consume the meat - while others are shot in the street and butchered in the open.

Most tourists have no idea they are being served up dog meat. Source: Animals Australia
Most tourists have no idea they are being served up dog meat. Source: Animals Australia

"Not only is the suffering of the dogs horrifying, tourists are unwittingly fuelling the trade," Ms White said.

"Most tourists have no idea that the letters RW on the outside of popular street food stalls in Bali indicates that dog meat is being served."

Animals Australia's investigation shows that "dog meat gangs" capture street dogs, and some pet dogs, for the growing illegal trade.

A little girl holds a terrified dog before the animal is taken away to be slaughtered. Source: Animals Australia
A little girl holds a terrified dog before the animal is taken away to be slaughtered. Source: Animals Australia

Dogs are often brutally caught with wire nooses on poles, then taken to filthy slaughtering areas where they are poisoned, bludgeoned or hung.

“Our investigator’s footage of dogs being captured and slaughtered is deeply upsetting. The suffering of these dogs is nothing short of heart-breaking,” Ms White said.

Animals Australia’s investigations in Bali also looked at the killing of cattle, pigs and chickens in slaughterhouses and revealed acute levels of suffering and non-existent food safety protocols.

Meat from these abattoirs is sold to locals and through the street food vendors to tourists.

“Producing food for 1.2 million Australian tourists annually has increased the animal welfare problems in Bali significantly," Ms White said.

"We have the opportunity to rectify this unfortunate situation by using our unique friendship with the Balinese to encourage positive change.”