Please help save the dogs of Bali!

The shocking state of dogs in Bali must change.

"May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

 Bali is known as the "Island of the Gods," but certainly not for its poor canine population. As two Bali-based filmmakers, Lawrence Blair and Dean Allan Tolhurst describe it, Bali is more like the "Island of the Demons" when it comes to its dog population. And though no one knows for sure the exact number of diseased and starving semi-feral dogs currently living on the island, estimates have been anywhere from six hundred thousand to as high as one million according to the Bali Street Dog Fund organization!

In contrast to its beautiful rice fields, incredible volcanoes and sandy shores, the sight of starving and suffering dogs roaming the streets of Bali, villages, markets, restaurants, and beaches is heart breaking and truly shocking for dog loving Westerners.

Though Bali's official religion is Hindu, its unique worship of "animism"(the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life-principle) makes it very different to Indian Hinduism. The Balinese worship Sanghyang Widi (the one invisible god) as well as all of the dewa (ancestral gods). They worship gods of the earth, fire, water and mountains, Hanuman the monkey deity and the sacred cow, but unfortunately they do not revere dogs.

Ceremonies are held daily across the island to appease the gods and pacify the demons. The Barong ritual drama focuses on the ongoing battle between good and evil; the evil Rangda versus the good Barong. The Barong protects villages from plague and malicious magic, whereas usually Rangda menaces them with both. Offerings and incense are placed both high (in the temples for dharma-good) and low (on the streets and roads for adharma-evil) forces. Unfortunately the Balinese believe that canines are a manifestation of evil spirits and the dark side. These beliefs mean that dogs are at the bottom of the social strata, as most of them scavenge the streets in semi-feral packs and most in a near death state. Not only are they both neglected and ill-treated, they are also ritually eaten and sacrificed!

In 2007 when the Balinese government prepared to "clean up" the island's image for the UN Conference for Climate Change, hundreds of thousands of already suffering innocent animals were cruely poisoned and left to die a slow and painful death. The massive neglect and abuse of the canine population resulted in a widespread rabies epidemic in 2008. Rabies is still a very real threat to both the animals and the Balinese people. In addition to being plagued with parasitic and infectious diseases, many dogs are victims (maimed or killed) to roadside traffic accidents and simply left to die. 

Tourists visiting Bali can no longer turn a blind eye to this open wound. With help, the "Island of the Gods"  can do something to improve the lives of these animals.  The World Health Organization for Animal Health has made it clear that the massive slaughter of canines is not an effective method to preventing and/or containing rabies. A massive and on-going dog-vaccination program in conjuction with spaying and neutering are the only means to improving this very grim situation.

Organizations like the Bali Street Dog Fund (www.balistreetdogs.org), B.A.R.C the Bali (dog) Adoption & Rehabilitation Centre (www.freewebs.com/balidogs), BAWA The not-for-profit Bali Animal Wellfare Association (www.bawabali.com), and Yudisthira Bali Street Dog Foundation (www.balistretdogs.com) are working to eradicate rabies in Bali, alleviate animal suffering and educate the local population in animal wellfare.

But these welfare associations need all the help they can get. As the Bali & Lombok Lonely Planet guide book says: "How can such a seemingly gentle island have Asia's worst dog population?

Going beyond the compassion and animal rights issues is the fact that Bali’s dogs are the richest pool of genetic diversity of all dogs in the world. The two types of Balinese dogs, the Balinese street dog and the Highland Kintamani, have been living on the island, virtually unaltered, for at least five thousand years. According to anthropologist Lawrence Blair: "Whereas our ‘breed’ dogs are only a couple of centuries old. Genetic research reveals that their ancestry (Balinese dog) can be traced back some 15.000 years to before the last Ice Age." Dr. Pederson from the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at U.C Davis, California notes that: "The true pure breeds are these indigenous Bali-dogs. Their lineage goes all the way back to the first proto-dog that evolved from the wolves. Their genes are highly valuable for further research as they are a window on the ancestral dog." (Quotes courtesy of Yvette Benningshof's recent article August 23rd, 2011)

As tourists visiting Bali, we must do our part to help make a difference for these animals. By supporting the Balinese animal wellfare organizations, we can feel good knowing that change is taking place. So many of us think of Bali as an exotic destination and a yogi's paradise. However Ubud, the island's "yogaville", has one of the worst dog populations. The question then is how can we as yoga practioners get on the mat (with our sarong pants and Om t-shirts) and ignore the blatent suffering all around us? Perhaps if such highly popularized books such as Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" dedicated more than just a few lines to describe the reality of the dog situation, animal lovers worldwide would know the truth and the severity of the situation. The Balinese government also needs to know that change must take place and that the situation must improve (in a humane and compassionate way and not by mass genocide). Tourism is at the heart of the Balinese economy, and foreigners planning to visit and dedicated to this cause need to voice their concerns and help the animal non-profit organizations by making a financial contribution (perhaps buying a few less souvenirs and making a real, and mutually beneficial lasting change). This change will not only improve the lives of all of Bali's animals (with the risk of rabies spreading to many other species of island wildlife), but also for the people of Bali.

One thing is for sure, the dogs of Bali definitely need to eat, need our prayers and definitely need lots and lots of love!

The Buddha B Yoga Center is dedicated to making a long term committment in bringing about change for these dogs. We will be contributing monthly to the various Bali animal organizations and will keep our students up-to-date on Bali's animal news.

We look forward to your support and to your feedback . Also please let us know if you would like to make a donation or get involved. We thank you, and the dogs of Bali thank you.

Namaste.

Valerie Grange & Rexx Samuell