Groups call for shutdown of brutal Indonesia animal markets

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Campaigners are calling for the closure of Indonesian animal markets touted as tourist attractions where dogs are bludgeoned by the thousands and blow-torched alive.

One of the markets on the island of Sulawesi, known as Tomohon Extreme Market, was previously listed on TripAdvisor as a must-see attraction until animal welfare groups complained. Local tour operators and officials continue to promote the markets as destinations.

Indonesian animal welfare groups filmed two notorious markets in Sulawesi that sell dog meat and say the treatment of the animals was "brutally cruel."

The footage shows dogs cowering in cages as workers pull the howling animals out and bludgeon their heads with wooden batons. Often still moving, the animals are then blasted with blowtorches to remove their hair and make them ready for sale.