In a major milestone toward ending Cambodia’s brutal dog meat trade, Siem Reap just became the country’s first province to ban the sale and consumption of dog meat.
Effectively immediately, the new order cites dogs as loyal companions and acknowledges the disease risks associated with slaughtering and eating dogs. Moreover, the ban asserts that stealing, trading, and slaughtering dogs violates Cambodia’s Animal Health and Production law.
Punishments for violating the newly-imposed law include up to five years in prison and fines ranging between 7 and 50 million riels ($1,750 to $12,500 USD).
“Since ancient times, dogs have been regarded as loyal pets by many people throughout the world, especially the Khmer people,” a translated announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries reads. “In the last couple of years, dog trading and slaughter for meat have been done with disregard for the law.”
An estimated 2 to 3 million dogs are slaughtered for their meat annually in Cambodia, according to The New York Times, but this could be a turning point for ending the gruesome trade.
“This is terrific news for the dogs of Siem Reap,” said Lady Freethinker founder Nina Jackel. “I hope it creates a ripple effect across Cambodia, and the nation soon bans all dog consumption for good.”
To truly end this gruesome industry, the Cambodian government must implement and enforce measures against procuring and eating dog meat. If you haven’t yet, sign Lady Freethinker’s petition urging Ambassador Chum Sounry to push for a nationwide ban against dog and cat meat, as well as to educate citizens about the dangers of torturing, killing, and consuming these innocent companion animals.

It feels so good that signing petitions year after year after year finally gives some results. We still have to fight and win many battles before winning the war. But stay firm, hand and hand, and cry out loud on behalf of all the voiceless ones. They COUNT on us…
Thank you, good news.
Once again, I will only believe this proclamation WHEN it actually happens. It appears that the Asian governments only tell the rest of the world what they think we ought to hear, NOT what will actually happen, which is quite often, NOTHING!!!!! These masses will just carry on abusing, torturing, murdering and eating both dogs and cats and any other species that they can, because its what they do….and they don;t give a DAMN about the rest of the world or the animals….Shame, shame, shame on these masses and may Karma repay them tenfold.
LAWS NEED TO CHANGE WORLD WIDE.!!!!
Mostly in Cambodia people believe in Kindness & compassion towards the other living beings due to them being BUDDHIST religious followers. IT IS TIME TO BAN COMPLETELY THIS MADNESS OF EATING CATS & DOGS. Government leaders need to change the countries ugly & dirty cultural practices such as these. Dogs are such intelligent loyal & loving towards the humans. It’s a shame for any one who murder them & eat them thinking that they are a source of food.
All animal abusers internationally, must be wiped off the planet.We need to unite together to ensure this is attended!
Cambodia is entering the world of enlightenment! Make it a nationwide awakening!
GOD BLESS ALL THAT MADE THIS DECISION TO PROTECT ALL ANIMALS FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO APPRECIATE; HOPEFULLY IN THEIR NORMAL SURROUNDINGS. THESE ARE ALL GOD’S CREATURES AND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THEM ALL ALWAYS
WONDERFUL NEWS — this is a win-win for all — Animals AND Humans alike – let’s ensure this LAW remains intact and in force FOREVER — if law is breached, thank you for being ready with severe punishments.
This is good news indeed.
This is good news indeed.
May many more provinces follow.
This is great news as as long as it is enforced. Profit, greed and corruption are the greatest sins of humankind. And many in South East Asia are especially weak minded and embraced those sins as virtues to behold.
Un pas en avant
This is awesome a great step forward to victory to ban dog meat everywhere. I hope this happens everywhere and soon.
This great law now needs to be enforced, please push for jail time to those that promote the dog meat trade.
Great
But will it be enforced? The dog and cat meat business is illegal in Korea……and thriving.
I’m skeptical.
Thank you so much for fighting for our precious animals and precious pets. They deserve to be safe and taken care of. This news made my day!!! Thank you!!
Good for dogs in Cambodia. What about cats?
Great news!
Great news!