Samoa considers solving stray dog problem by exporting canned canine meat

The Pacific state of Samoa is considering a controversial plan to address its stray dog problem by exporting canned dog meat. Errant and ownerless dogs are rife across the island nation, and the parliament's recent debate on a "Canine Control Bill" prompted various proposals to address the problem, including stray dog racing. The Commonwealth country of about 200,000 people reportedly has more stray dogs than tourists, and there are frequent reports of attacks on humans.

The country's associate minister, Tole'afoa Apulu Fa'afisi, proposed in parliament the idea of exporting stray dog meat to Asia and received strong support from fellow MPs. "Rather than spending money on dogs, how about we use their meat to get money?" he said. "Put them in cans and export them. Looking after other farm animals is also expensive maybe we can grind their meat to feed farm animals?"


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The proposal won the backing of the finance minister, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, who said "There is no difference between the meat of a pig and that of a dog. When it gets cold in Asia, the moment you eat dog meat, you feel warm afterwards." Another MP, Levaopolo Talatonu, reportedly backed the proposal but said the government should sample the meat first. He also suggested the government consider dog racing.

"In other countries they have a lot of dog races and it makes money," he said. "If we have the same thing here, people would be quick to take those dogs in town under their care so they can take them to the race to earn money." The opposition has rejected the plan for dog meat, saying the stray dogs should be put down. But the police minister, Sala Fata Pinati, said it would be "inhumane" to start shooting at stray dogs without obtaining a court order. "We don't just walk to the market where there are a lot of stray dogs and start using a gun to shoot them," he said.