Canine meat or dog meat is increasingly consumed by some inhabitants of Kinshasa. If this meat is part of the gastronomy of certain regions of the DRC, such as Kasai, it is only in recent years that it has entered the culinary habits of some Kinshasa people. Some makeshift restaurants, called “Malewa” offer it in their menus, noted Wednesday, October 26 the reporter for Radio Okapi. According to Dr. Philomène Katende, a veterinarian, dog meat is safe for human consumption, provided the animal is healthy and free from any form of disease.

In a eatery in the town of Barumbu, this Wednesday, only dog ​​meat is on the menu, noted the reporter from Radio Okapi. Based on sauce or grilled, this meat is more and more popular with customers, says the owner of this Malewa specializing in canine meat.

“I have preferred this meat since my childhood, as I saw my parents take it home. Often, it’s dad, every time he came home from work, he came with this meat, ”says a consumer found on the spot.

If this meat makes some people happy after cooking, the sanitary choice of the animal and its cutting require a lot of attention, specified Dr Philomène Katende, veterinarian. Indeed, the animal can be a carrier of rabies, a fatal disease.

“By cutting the dog meat, by slaughtering, by cutting up the dog, the person can injure himself and by injuring himself, the dog’s blood can be in contact with his blood. During this injury, the person can contact rabies. So, in general, you must avoid creating small wounds when you slaughter your animal so as not to constitute an entry point for the virus, ”said this veterinarian.

Boiling at 15 to 25 degrees is enough to neutralize the rabies virus and any other dog disease, added Dr. Philomène Katende.