Job defends dog-eating ‘culture’ amid threats

Former Windhoek mayor Job Amupanda has told the Justice for Animals Association that he will defend his culture, food and viewpoints against legal threats emanating from a video he posted in which he is allegedly eating dog meat.

The association yesterday said it has found a provision in law, describing it as a ‘hidden gem’, which categorically prohibits the killing of dogs for the purpose of commercial utilisation of their skin, meat or any other body parts.

“Job, we are coming for you,” the association exclaimed at the end of its statement, as it forges ahead with its ‘Friends, Not Food’ campaign.

“After a detailed examination, we unveiled a remarkable fact that brings a new ray of hope in our battle against animal cruelty: The only notice ever issued in terms of the Animals Protection Act was on 14 July 1972,” it said.

“This hidden gem categorically prohibits the killing of dogs for the purpose of commercial utilisation of their skin, meat or any other body parts.”

The association added: “In clear terms, any person who kills a dog with the intention of using the skin or meat or any other part of such dog for commercial purposes acts in contravention of the notice, is guilty of a criminal offence and is liable - on conviction - to a fine or imprisonment of up to six months or both.”

‘Dog meat is the best’

Amupanda warned the association “not to scratch where it is not itching”.

The University of Namibia academic said: “They must advocate their things without thinking that all blacks are weak like plastic politicians. We will defend our culture, food [and] viewpoints the way we see fit”.

The group's threat comes after a video of Amupanda seemingly eating and buying dog meat went viral on social media recently.

In the video, the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activist can be heard saying "dog meat is the best in the country", and then continues to order a larger portion worth N$100 from a local vendor.

In July, a social media frenzy around dog meat erupted after an eight-year-old Weimeraner, Dalton, was allegedly stolen, killed and cooked in Rehoboth.

After its disappearance, Dalton's family launched a search party and discovered that the dog was indeed slaughtered and braaied by local vendors.

Certain tribes in Namibia consider dog meat a delicacy and vendors have continuously defended the acquisition and selling of the meat to provide for their families.

SPCA joins fray

Yesterday, Namibia’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said it does not condone the slaughter of dogs for human consumption.

SPCA based its opposition on ‘inhumane’ methods of dog slaughtering, dogs’ long-standing role as companion animals and public health risks associated with the consumption of dog meat.

“Dogs are one of the only species consumed by humans that are omnivores and that will eat other animals, animal remains and animal and human excrement. This sets dogs aside from other land animals such as commonly consumed livestock,” it said.

“The World Health Organisation warns that the slaughter and consumption of dogs poses human health risks for zoonotic disease transmission, including trichinellosis (intestinal parasites), cholera and rabies.”

On companionship, the SPCA said: “Dogs are often referred to as ‘man’s best friend’ and their roles in human lives take many shapes and forms; from pure companionship to service and emotional support, guarding, herding, search and rescue, and service within security and police efforts.”

It also condemned the current methods of dog slaughter, which often involve beating, bludgeoning and hanging dogs to death.

“All of the above actions are considered an offence under the Animal Protection Act, and should any dog slaughter or attempted dog slaughter be reported to the SPCA with sufficient evidence, the SPCA will take action and open an animal cruelty case.”