Clement Abas Apaak, Deputy Minister for Education, has dismissed concerns raised by the Institute of Community Sustainability regarding the consumption of dog and cat meat, describing the criticisms as unfounded.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Apaak — who also identifies himself as the Global President of the Dog Meat Eaters Association — urged members of the association to disregard the Institute’s position.
“As the Global President of the Dog Meat Eaters Association [DOGMEA], I urge all members to treat the call by the Institute of Community Sustainability with the contempt it deserves,” he wrote.
Responding to health concerns cited by the Institute, the Deputy Minister questioned the basis of the claims.
“What do they mean by health concerns? Have we, the dog and cat meat consumers, reported health issues to them? And don’t people who do not eat dog and cat meat also have health issues?” he asked.
On ethical considerations, Dr Apaak argued that standards of morality vary across societies and traditions.
“Ethical concerns? Whose ethics and by whose standards? We, the consumers of dog and cat meat, are guided by the ethics passed down by our ancestors. Our forefathers taught us the moral principles governing our behaviour, which include our consumption of dog and cat meat,” he stated.
He further emphasised what he described as the cultural significance of the practice, noting that food choices are closely tied to heritage and identity.
“We consume dog and cat meat because it is part of our culture, heritage and tradition. It is part of our identity,” he said, adding that food — including dog and cat meat — serves as an expression of cultural identity and social bonding.
Dr Apaak concluded by encouraging members of the association to uphold their traditions without hesitation.
“I urge members to boldly and fearlessly consume these special delicacies. We are proud of our heritage; we are proud of our culture. It is our birthright to consume dog and cat meat,” he stated.
