The Institute of Community Sustainability (ICS) has announced plans to seek legal redress at the Supreme Court to compel the enforcement of laws prohibiting the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats in Ghana.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the organisation said it is seeking the strict enforcement of Section 303 of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29), as amended by the Criminal Code Amendment Act, 1998 (Act 554), which it says criminalises the illegal slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats.
The ICS expressed concern over what it described as the continued brutal killing of dogs and cats for human consumption across parts of the country, arguing that companion animals deserve legal protection.
According to the organisation, dogs and cats are not food but are animals that form strong emotional bonds with humans and serve as companions in households.
The Institute also raised public health concerns over the practice, warning that the unregulated slaughter and handling of dogs and cats could increase the risk of zoonotic diseases, including rabies.
The ICS noted that unlike livestock such as goats, pigs, poultry, cattle and fish, there are no regulated dog or cat farms in Ghana, suggesting that many of the animals consumed may have been obtained through theft and illegal trade.
“Dogs and cats have proven to be loyal companions and vital members of our households,” Executive Director of ICS, Eric Jerry Aidoo, popularly known as Chairman Jerry, said.
“The widespread theft and cruel slaughter of these animals must end. We are calling on the highest court of the land to uphold the law and protect both our animals and our public health,” he added.
The Institute of Community Sustainability said its legal action forms part of its broader advocacy for legal compliance, environmental welfare and the protection of companion animals in Ghana.
