Formal and Non-Formal Responses Against Companion Animal Abuse in Indonesia: Possibilities and Challenges

Abstract

Although dogs and cats are recognized as the most popular companion animals, they are ranked second as the most abused animals for social media content. In addition, Indonesia ranked first as the producers of these contents. Existing laws regarding animal abuse in Indonesia are still enforced in an anthropocentric approach and this prevents just treatments for animals that fell victims of the abuse. This research collected recorded verdicts against animal abuse cases that happen in Indonesia. Five verdicts of physical animal abuse cases, two verdicts against animal neglect cases, and four verdicts against dogs smuggling were found and used as the basis to create a model of responses against animal abuse. In physical animal abuse cases, first time offender is given probational period and repeat offender is sentenced to imprisonment or fined. In animal neglect cases, the offender is educated to raise his or her awareness of animal welfare. Animal confiscation is done if only the offender is deemed incapable of giving care for the animal or is a high-risk for the animal in care. In dogs smuggling cases, the offender is sentenced to imprisonment and fined as they could cause a rabies outbreak that threatened public health. In each type of animal abuse case, strict law enforcement and collaboration between animal welfare organization and law enforcement officer is needed to prevent and to handle animal abuse cases and to achieve justice for companion animals.