Samoa, the Pacific island nation, is considering implementing a controversial plan to solve the problem of stray dogs by exporting canned dog meat to foreign countries, the Daily Telegraph reported on April 8.

 

Stray dogs are very common in Samoa. This small country with a population of 200,000 has even more stray dogs than tourists and has frequent attacks. The country's parliament is currently discussing the introduction of a Dog Control Act to try to find effective ways to address the problem of stray dog abuse, including the holding of stray dog competitions.

 

Samoa's deputy police minister, Tole'afoa Apulu Fa'afisi, has proposed to export canned stray dog meat to Asia, a proposal that has won support from legislators. He said, "since we don't want to spend money on stray dogs, why don't we make money from dog meat? Pack them in the jar. Finance Minister Faumuina Tiatia Liuga also said: "Dog meat is no different from pork."

 

One congressman who supported the proposal said the government should set an example in eating dog meat and suggested that the government organize stray dog competitions. He said, "there are many dog races in other countries, which can also make money. If we do the same, many people will soon take care of stray dogs so that they can compete and make money.

 

But there are also opponents of the dog-meat program, including police minister Sala Fata Pinati, who called it "inhumane" to start shooting stray dogs without a court order.