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Comment by Boris on September 11, 2018 at 1:14pm

WARNING: This story contains images and descriptions that some people may find distressing.

Animal rights activists have urged the Indonesian Government to keep its promise to ban the brutal dog and cat meat trades, after shocking new footage emerged of the animals being bludgeoned over the head and blow-torched while still alive.
Key points:

Footage emerged showing cats and dogs being kept in tight cages and blow-torched
Celebrities including Cameron Diaz and Ellen DeGeneres have pushed to end the trade
There are concerns that the cat and dog meat trade will spread rabies to major cities

The Dog Meat-Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition said the brutality was continuing at Extreme Market, in North Sulawesi's Tomohon City, despite the Government's promise to ban the practice in August.

"It was the most horrific cruelty I have witnessed so far [in] 10 years … and it was all done in full view of very young children," said Lola Webber, director of Change for Animals Foundation, part of the coalition that also includes Four Paws, Humane Society International, Animal Friends Jogja, and Jakarta Animal Aid Network.
Dead dog dragged by leg in Indonesia
Photo: Rights groups are frustrated the local goverment has said there is "nothing sadistic" about the practice. (Supplied: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia)

"Every single dog and cat we saw at the market was blowtorched whilst clearly still alive," Ms Webber said.

The graphic footage seen by the ABC shows cats and dogs set on fire with blowtorches — all while still alive and in a busy market place where locals, tourists and children are present.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-11/dogs-and-cats-burnt-alive-at-...

The animals are also seen being beaten over the head by workers wielding large wooden bats.