The Institute of Community Sustainability (ICS) has announced plans to file an action at the Supreme Court to seek the enforcement of Ghana’s laws against the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats.
A statement issued by the environmental advocacy organisation on Monday said the action would ask the apex court to compel the enforcement of Section 303 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Act 554), arguing that the practice is unlawful and poses serious animal welfare and public health concerns.
The organisation maintained that companion animals such as dogs and cats should not be treated as food.
“Companion animals are not food; they are family. Like humans, these animals possess intelligence, emotional capacity, and strong bonds with their households. They deserve legal protection, not exploitation,” the statement said.
ICS said the continued slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats exposed the public to significant health risks, particularly zoonotic diseases such as rabies, because there were no regulated systems for breeding, slaughtering or inspecting the animals for human consumption.
It said, unlike livestock such as cattle, goats, pigs, poultry and fish, Ghana had no recognised or regulated dog or cat farms.
According to the organisation, the absence of such systems raised concerns that many of the animals consumed could be stolen pets, thereby fuelling animal theft and illegal trade.
Mr Eric Jerry Aidoo, Executive Director of ICS, said the legal action sought to protect both companion animals and the public.
“Dogs and cats have proven to be loyal companions and vital members of our households. The widespread theft and cruel slaughter of these animals must end. We are calling on the highest court of the land to uphold the law and protect both our animals and our public health,” he said.
The statement said the court action formed part of the organisation’s broader campaign to promote environmental sustainability, legal compliance and animal welfare in Ghana.
It said ICS had, over the past few years, intensified public education campaigns against the trade and consumption of dog and cat meat, highlighting the animal welfare implications of the practice and the potential public health risks associated with the unregulated slaughter of companion animals.
The organisation said it had also engaged government institutions, law enforcement agencies and animal welfare stakeholders to advocate stricter enforcement of existing laws and greater protection for companion animals.
ICS said the Supreme Court action represented the next phase of its advocacy by seeking a judicial interpretation and enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Criminal Offences Act.
It said a favourable ruling could result in stricter enforcement of laws against the slaughter, sale and consumption of dog and cat meat in Ghana, while providing greater legal clarity on the status of companion animals under Ghanaian law and influencing future animal welfare and protection policies.
