SIEM REAP: The province well known for the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex has become the first in Cambodia to ban the trade of dog meat.
The move comes amid concerns regarding public health and its impact on the tourism sector.
According to the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, all dog meat sellers here must cease business activities immediately.
The department said dogs should not be farmed or slaughtered for meat as they were treasured animals which have a strong bond with humans and in consideration of their work for the military sector.
"Dog meat trade in Siem Reap province has increased to a worrying number and must be stopped," it said.
"Siem Reap is a cultural hub and a famous tourism destination which locals and international tourists visit and the region must be protected."
"Four Paws International and the World Organisation for Animal Health have said the rising slaughter of dogs in recent years has caused the spread of rabies and other diseases which impact public health. Also, the slaughter of dogs is inhumane."
Four Paws International said a nationwide investigation by the organisation found dog meat trade here as prevalent, according to a Khmer Times report.
"Siem Reap province is responsible for large-scale sourcing and trafficking of dogs and dog meat to restaurants, mostly in Phnom Penh.
"Based on our research, the trade has continued unabated despite consumption being controversial. We found that around 12 per cent of Cambodians consume dog meat regularly, with over 7,000 dogs killed in slaughterhouses every month here alone."
It said the ban comes after working closely with the Cambodian government for two years on the issue.
Four Paws Stray Animal Care in Southeast Asia head Katherine Polak said the historic decision to ban the stealing, trading and killing of dogs was a huge milestone for animal welfare in Cambodia and was reflective of current sentiment among Khmer people.
"We hope that Siem Reap will serve as a model for the rest of the country to follow suit to protect the lives of millions of dogs," she said.