100 ZAMBIAN DOGS ON DRC MENUS EVERY MONTH
About 100 dogs are taken to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) every month through illicit trade to be consumed as meat, an investigation by animal rights groups has revealed.
Dog meat, whose market value is still unknown because the trade is illegal, is said to be on demand across the border in DRC, creating a lucrative market which is fuelling the illegal, unsafe and cruel handling and transportation of dogs within Zambia.
The investigation was done by a consortium of nine animal rights welfare societies in Zambia.
The societies are Lusaka Animal Welfare, Cactus Foundation, Kalumbila Animal Rescue, Kitwe Animal Welfare and Ndola Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Others are the African Animal Rescue Center, the Ark Angel Animal Sanctuary, University of Zambia Vet Students Welfare Committee, and Zambezi Animal Welfare Services.
Speaking at a joint briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Veterinary Association of Zambia (VAZ) president Malcolm Chiyoba said investigations have shown that there are about 100 dogs taken across the DRC border every month.
Dr Chiyoba said consuming dog meat is not part of the Zambian culture, but recent media reports indicate a growing trend of people selling dog meat disguised as goat meat.
He said currently Zambia has a thriving market in bars and open markets of dog meat, following the unregulated sale and slaughter of small livestock like goats and sheep in these places.