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ANIMAL WATCH - In Defense of Animals’ Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition applauds the Los Angeles City Council for introducing motion 25-0193 that would create a Sister City relationship with Hanoi, Vietnam, dependent on it banning the dog and cat meat trade. Over 2,900 comments have been submitted to the council overwhelmingly endorsing it, and a letter encouraging the relationship has gained almost 10,000 signatures. The council will vote on this matter soon.
The Sister City motion was introduced by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and seconded by City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. It would promote a relationship between the two cities that could improve cultural, economic and educational interests — in addition to improving public health and animal welfare.
“With millions of dogs and cats at risk of becoming victims of the brutal meat trade, we’re very excited about the prospect of creating a relationship with Hanoi that could help end it and set an example for other areas to follow,” said Fleur Dawes, Director of Communications and International Partnerships for In Defense of Animals. “The people of Vietnam and Los Angeles overwhelmingly support a ban, so we urge the council to pass this important motion without delay.”
The new motion provides that: “As part of the City's discussions to establish a sister city relationship with Hanoi, the City's representatives and negotiators should keep in mind the policy set forth in Council File 19-0002-S 101.”
That policy is Resolution 19-0002-S101, which makes it the official policy of Los Angeles to oppose the dog and cat meat trade in certain countries, including Vietnam. Unanimously passed by the Los Angeles City Council in 2019, it calls for legislative and administrative action by the City of Los Angeles to request governments where the trade exists to ban it and enforce animal cruelty laws.
Multiple surveys in recent years conducted by international animal advocacy organizations show strong support among Vietnamese citizens for a ban on the dog and cat meat trade. A 2023 Nielsen poll commissioned by Humane World for Animals revealed that 68% support banning the dog meat trade and 71% support a ban on selling and eating cat meat. A FOUR PAWS survey found that 95% of respondents believe eating dog and cat meat is not part of Vietnamese culture.
Studies have also found the trade is coming under increased scrutiny, and poses a major health risk for spreading rabies, which is endemic in Vietnam.
Jeffrey Mausner, co-founder of the Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition, who came up with the idea for the Sister City Project to End Dog and Cat Meat in Vietnam, stressed the overwhelming public support for the project.
“Already, more than 2,800 people have submitted Public Comments in the City Council File 25-0193 in support of the Motion to implement the project. The Tarzana Neighborhood Council has filed a Community Impact Statement in support, and the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils, consisting of representatives of Neighborhood Councils in the San Fernando Valley, has submitted a unanimous Resolution in support. In Defense of Animals has done a truly outstanding job of organizing support for this and helping to move it through the legislative process! With the City Council vote on the Motion coming up soon, now is the time for those who have not done so to submit Public Comment in support of the Motion in the City Council File 25-0193, pursuant to the instructions below!”
Anyone can submit a public comment in the City Council file to help save the lives of millions of dogs and cats in Vietnam. Use the Office of the City Clerk website to leave a comment urging a yes vote on 25-0193. You must then click on an email verification link from the Los Angeles City Clerk for your comment to be seen by the City Council members.
In addition to submitting a public comment, residents of Los Angeles are encouraged to sign an In Defense of Animals alert which urges their councilmember to support the motion.
For further information about the Sister City Project to End Dog and Cat Meat in Vietnam, please see the article Five Million Dogs and Cats Desperately Need Saving in Vietnam.
(The Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition was formed by a collection of organizations and individuals united in our deep sense of urgency and unwavering determination to advocate for an end to the dog and cat meat trade in countries where it still exists. Its members include In Defense of Animals, Jindo Love Rescue, Animal Protection League of New Jersey (APLNJ), Mercy for Chinese Dogs, Yoga Stops Yulin, The Puppy Coalition, Pawsitive Healing Yoga, Adrienne Hewitt and Jeffrey N. Mausner, a councilor, writer, retired attorney, law professor, and former federal prosecutor of the United States Department of Justice.)
