RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Commission IX Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Charles Honoris, has confirmed that Parliament is currently drafting regulations to prohibit the trade of non-consumable animals, specifically targeting dog and cat meat.

Charles comes in response to a recent poisoning incident in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, where seven residents fell ill after consuming dog meat. The case serves as a grave warning that consuming animals not intended for food poses significant health risks.

"The House is currently discussing regulations that will prohibit the trade of non-consumable animals, including dogs and cats. This is crucial to provide legal certainty while simultaneously protecting the public," said Charles in a press release in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Charles urged local administration to take concrete steps in banning the consumption of non-food animals. He pointed to the Jakarta Provincial Administration as a model to follow, noting its proactive stance in outlawing the trade and consumption of dog and cat meat.

"We encourage local administration to take decisive action. Jakarta Province, for instance, has already implemented rules prohibiting the trade and consumption of such meat," remarked Charles.

He reminded stakeholders that safeguarding public health is a collective responsibility. "We hope other regions will follow suit to protect their citizens."

The urgency follows reports from Mamuju where seven residents, ranging from young adults and teenagers to children and a toddler, suffered severe poisoning. The incident occurred in Karama Village, Kalumpang Subdistrict, on Sunday, March 29.

The victims included a 23-year-old man and six others aged between 2 and 14 years. The tragedy began when a farmer, identified as JS, observed a dog vomiting on Sunday morning. Despite the animal's condition, he decided to slaughter and cook it.

“JS took the initiative to slaughter the dog and cook the meat,” said Kalumpang Police Chief, Inspector Lukman Rahman, in a press statement on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Shortly after the communal meal, two residents began experiencing severe nausea and vomiting, symptoms that soon spread to the others who had shared the dish.

“Around 3:30 p.m. local time, five individuals’ conditions deteriorated rapidly and they were immediately evacuated,” explained Lukman.

The victims were rushed to the Karama Community Health Center for emergency medical treatment. The seven victims remain under intensive care at the local health facility. Police suspect the dog had ingested poison prior to being slaughtered, a theory supported by the fact that the animal was seen vomiting earlier that day.

“Preliminary suspicion suggests the dog had previously consumed poison, which in turn caused the residents to be poisoned,” concluded Lukman. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)