Dr. Katherine Polak, Head of Stray Animal Care Southeast Asia for FOUR PAWS
The dog meat trade is big business in Vietnam and threatens the lives of millions of dogs every year, many of them pets. Every day, pets are violently snatched off the streets, from yards, and even while out on a walk with their owners. These unlucky dogs make a brutal journey to slaughterhouses, markets, and restaurants, where a gruesome death awaits them. But times are changing, and the brutality and illegality of pet theft is no longer being tolerated by Vietnamese authorities.
In a landmark case, police in Thanh Hoa Province received a tip off regarding a gang of dog thieves believed to have stolen thousands of dogs since the beginning of the year. On September 15, 2019 the police successfully carried out the largest ever bust of a dog theft ring in Vietnam, resulting in the seizure of 51 dogs. According to the police, the gang carried stun guns and other sharp weapons, and rode motorbikes through residential areas late at night shooting dogs roaming outside. Police arrested a total of 16 suspected gang members and questioned more than 40 suspects. The gang not only brutalized neighborhood dogs, but also caused outrage among local people, particularly pet owners.
Following the interception, Police struggled to properly care for the confiscated dogs given their limited capacity for animal care, so the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA), of which FOUR PAWS is a member, stepped in to offer assistance. There were 13 dogs in need of immediate medical care due to severe wounds sustained during capture. Dogs with painful open wounds were anaesthetised, treated, provided pain medication and antibiotics, and housed in a temporary shelter for ongoing treatment.
The Asia Canine Protection Alliance is an international alliance of four animal protection organizations committed to ending the illegal trade of dogs in Vietnam: FOUR PAWS, Animals Asia, Humane Society International, and Change for Animals Foundation. ACPA is working to build collaborative relationships with the governments throughout Southeast Asia where the dog meat trade is prevalent, and has already secured a moratorium on the trade in dogs between Thailand and Vietnam.
Following the confiscation, the police publicised the bust throughout the province using local media so that stolen dogs could be reunited with their families.
Over the course of 2 weeks, all 51 dogs were successful reunited with their owners, who were devastated by their pets’ disappearance.
This bust pets a major precedent as dog theft is rarely treated as a criminal offense in Vietnam unless the canines are valued at more than VND2 million ($86).
“These arrests will hopefully go a long way in deterring future dog theft in Thanh Hoa Province, and potentially throughout all of Vietnam. While the dog meat trade is often defended as ‘culture’ or ‘tradition’, the reality is that there are significant health and societal impacts associated with the trade and these are becoming of ever-growing concern within Vietnam and internationally.”
Earlier in the week, the Food Safety Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City urged locals to stop eating dog meat in an effort to improve Vietnam’s national image with tourists. They also warned the local community of the health risks posed by consuming the unregulated meat. This followed a similar call by the Hanoi People’s Committee last year.
In addition to membership in ACPA, FOUR PAWS also runs a ‘Cats Matter Too program‘ in Central Vietnam with local charities PAWS for Compassion and Vietnam Cat Welfare to improve veterinary training, animal welfare education, and provide free spay/neuter services.
Brave Mother Dog Jumps and Sacrifices Her Life To Protect Her Poor Cubs Under A Falling Tree
When it comes to the power of motherly love, no one can deny the extent to which a mother will go to protect her progeny. This is notably true in the animal kingdom, where maternal instincts are essential for survival. One such instance of this can be seen in the narrative of a mother dog who sacrificed herself to save her offspring in front of a fallen tree.
In this endearing tale, a mother dog and her young puppy were out for a walk when they came across a fallen tree obstructing their path. The infant was too small to clamber over the tree, and the mother dog knew that she had to find a means to assist her little one. With no other options available, the mother dog made the ultimate sacrifice and settled down on the ground, creating a makeshift bridge for her puppy to traverse over the tree.
As the infant made its way across the mother’s back, the weight of the little one proved to be too much for the mother dog, and she was unable to get back up. Despite her immense agony and discomfort, the mother dog remained in the same position until assistance arrived. Her altruistic act of love had saved her puppy’s life, but it had come at a tremendous cost to her own.
This tale is a testament to the power of motherly love and the extraordinary extent that a mother will go to protect her young. It is a reminder that love knows no bounds and that the bond between a mother and her child is unbreakable. The mother dog’s sacrifice is a genuine example of the unconditional love that exists between a mother and her progeny.
At its essence, this narrative is about selflessness and sacrifice. It is a reminder that true love means placing the requirements of others before your own. The mother dog could have easily left her puppy behind and continued on her way, but she knew that her child’s safety was more essential than her own. It is this kind of selflessness that makes the bond between a mother and her child so special.
The power of motherly love can be seen throughout the animal kingdom, from canines to lions to birds. It is a force that is genuinely awe-inspiring and has the ability to move even the hardest of souls. This story of the mother dog and her puppy is just one example of the myriad acts of love that take place in the animal kingdom every day.
Leave a Reply