VI
EN
On August 20th, public opinion in Vietnam erupted when images and video clips showing an Alaskan Malamute being brutally beaten by its owner in Lam Vien Square, Da Lat, went viral on social media.
The brutal beating and the dog's painful screams have sparked outrage among many. This cruel act not only caused physical harm but also left deep emotional scars on an innocent animal, while seriously damaging the image of tourism in Da Lat.
Acts of cruelty towards pets are being widely circulated on social media.
Netizens expressed their outrage.
In light of this situation, the City People's Committee has requested the City Police to take the lead and coordinate with the Economic Department and other relevant agencies and units to urgently review and verify the residency information of individuals involved in the beating and abuse of animals at Lam Vien Square as shown in the attached videos and images; strictly handle violations according to regulations; report the results to the City People's Committee before August 17, 2024, and propose solutions for issues outside their jurisdiction.
Taking pictures with Alaskan Malamutes, which are believed to have been present in Da Lat for a very long time.
The act of beating or cruelly torturing pets can be fined up to 3 million VND according to Clause 1, Article 29 of Decree 14/2021/ND-CP. For similar violations committed by organizations, the fine is doubled.
In addition, the Department of Culture and Information will also take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to strengthen propaganda and inspection of compliance with legal regulations on animal care and protection for zoo tourism businesses and animal photography services in the area, seriously and thoroughly rectifying and proposing handling if violations are detected.
Previously, three video clips circulated on social media showing a very large and beautiful Alaskan Malamute being assaulted in Da Lat city. Images of the large, beautiful dog being repeatedly kicked by two young men in Lam Vien Square for refusing to cooperate with a photo shoot sparked outrage. Furthermore, footage showing another young man cruelly beating and stabbing the dog repeatedly in the head and mouth with a stick at a private residence further fueled the online community's anger.
Upon seeing images of dog abuse in Da Lat, some tourists said they "don't want to come to Da Lat," while others expressed regret at not being able to see pet dogs in the square.
For many years, the sight of giant Alaskan Malamutes with their beautiful, thick furs in Lam Vien Square, on the shores of Xuan Huong Lake in the heart of Da Lat city, serving as photo opportunities for tourists, has become one of the city's unique features. Tourists pay between 30,000 and 50,000 VND for each photo session. However, there have been incidents of owners beating the dogs during training when the animals are uncooperative, causing public outrage and calls to boycott this tourism service…
