Five people are dead and more than thirty hospitalized after eating dog meat in Cambodia’s Kratie province.

According to reports, a neighborhood dog died of “mysterious” causes. Chea Rath, a 76-year-old man in the same village, then purchased the dog from his neighbor and proceeded to serve the dog meat as barbecue for friends at a party.

Rath and two other partygoers died shortly after eating the dog meat. The cause of death, however, wasn’t immediately identified and mourners at Rath’s funeral were then served the same dog meat. It was only after these individuals became ill that the dog meat was identified as toxic. All villagers have now been notified and encouraged to seek medical attention.

The story is still developing and it is now believed that the dog’s “mysterious” death was actually the result of poisoning. Sadly, free roaming dogs throughout Asia are often the victims of poisoning, whether by a disgruntled neighbor or by dog thieves specifically targeting dogs to sell for meat. Such deaths are not only torturous for the dogs, but also put the human population at risk. The death of Rath, his friends and family are a vivid example of such dangers.

“This incident is tragic, but not surprising,” said In Defense of Animals President Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Dog meat can be as deadly to humans as it is to animals – meat can harbor hazardous diseases such as rabies and parvovirus. Sadly, many dogs are stolen from people’s homes, poisoned with toxins such as cyanide. When they end up on the table, people are exposed to diseases and toxic chemicals. Events like this remind us that animal welfare and human welfare are intrinsically linked, and should serve as a warning to people across Asia to ditch dog meat for good.”

Hopefully, this latest tragedy will prove to raise public awareness within Cambodia and throughout Asia about the dangers of eating dog meat. Taking dogs and cats off the menu will only create a healthier world for all.
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