Tell Vietnam's Capital to Ban Dog Meat

As the world’s second-largest consumer of dog meat, Vietnam kills around five million dogs for food every year, with Hanoi considered the dog meat capital of Asia. Many of these animals are illegally rounded up from the streets of neighboring countries. Others are stolen from loving families, leaving many pet owners in constant fear that their dogs could be snatched even while out on a walk.

Once captured, the dogs are agressivly force-fed in an attempt to “fatten” them up for slaughter before enduring a horrific journey in overcrowded crates to the slaughterhouse. Some don’t even survive the trip, succumbing to starvation, dehydration, disease, or injury. Despite this, their decaying bodies are still barbecued and sold for profit. Those who do make it to the slaughterhouse are drowned, bludgeoned, or hanged until dead, while others are sometimes even skinned alive, all in full view of their terrified companions, who are next in line to die.

Changing Tastes

Thankfully, attitudes are shifting, with 88% of people in Vietnam supporting a ban on dog meat. While dog meat restaurants remain popular among older generations, the rise of animal companionship and a younger, social-media-savvy generation is driving the country away from this so-called delicacy. In 2018, Hanoi made headlines when officials announced a dog meat ban that would take full effect in the city center by 2021. The director of the city's Department of Health revealed plans for a directive to "gradually phase out the killing and trade of dog meat" in central Hanoi, particularly in major tourist districts, a move applauded by animal rights activists in Vietnam and worldwide.

Yet, years later, dog meat restaurants are still thriving in the capital, meaning countless dogs continue to be tortured and slaughtered for human consumption.

Cruel to Animals, Dangerous to Us

Beyond its immense cruelty, the dog meat trade poses a serious global health risk. Health officials have repeatedly warned of the dangers of consuming rabies- or parasite-infected dogs, and government-led campaigns have urged the public to stop eating dog meat. Rabies remains a major threat in Vietnam, with around 70 people dying from the virus each year with most cases linked to dog bites. In a high-profile case, a dog and cat meat restaurant owner died of rabies in December 2024, underscoring the dangers of the trade.

Slaughterhouses are also filthy, unsanitary environments and ideal breeding grounds for zoonotic diseases like COVID-19.

Take Action Now

Join Species Unite in demanding that the Vietnamese government follow through on its commitment to phase out dog meat in Hanoi. Sign now to call for an immediate ban on the cruel and dangerous dog meat trade. By speaking out together, we can help end this ruthless practice for good.