HARROWING footage shows dogs and cats being blow-torched alive then bludgeoned in Indonesia's "extreme meat markets".

They are among thousands of animals - often pets snatched from their owners - crammed inside tiny cages and killed in squalid conditions every week.

15 This is the cruel Indonesian meat market where pet dogs and cats are blow-torched alive Credit: AFP

Local authorities and tour operators promote the maggot-infested markets in Sulawesi, described by campaigners as "walking through hell", as "must see" tourist attractions.

The Dog Meat-Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition filmed undercover at two of Indonesia's most notorious markets - the Tomohon Extreme Market and Langowan Market - to expose the horrifying suffering routinely endured by animals.

Here, animals are butchered in full view of trembling dogs and cats, seen huddled together in dirty cages.

One by one they are yanked out by their necks, beaten over the head and thrown to the ground as they writhe in agony.

15 Thousands of animals - often snatched from their owners - are inhumanely killed at the markets every week Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

They are then blow-torched to remove their hair - a final torment that takes place whilst many are clearly still alive.

"The animals we saw at the markets were terrified and often sick and injured," said Lola Webber, Dog Meat-Free Indonesia campaign coordinator.

"The terror in their eyes, the thumping of the club as they were bludgeoned, their screams of pain and the smell of burning flesh were appalling and unforgettable."

Investigators also witnessed the routine sale of slaughtered wildlife including illegally-caught species of bats, snakes and other reptiles.

15 The animals are hit over the head with a club then burned, to get rid of their hair, while some are still alive Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

15 Caged dogs who have already endured gruelling journeys to the markets watch as other animals are butchered Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

15 The animals are bludgeoned in full view of young children whose mental health could be harmed by witnessing such brutal acts Credit: AP:Associated Press

15 Undercover footage shows dozens of cats crammed into the same tiny, squalid cage Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

15 Dead cats and dogs are strewn across the bloodied market floor Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

Worryingly, the macabre footage clearly shows young children, thought to be between two and ten, watching as animals are beaten to death.

Witnessing such brutal acts could be damaging to their mental state, according to Dr Mary Lou Randour, senior adviser for Animal Cruelty Programs at the Animal Welfare Institute.

She said: "Witnessing violence of any type, particularly animal abuse, is a traumatic event for a child, as it changes how the brain develops.

"Exposure to violence at a young age can alter neurons, the building blocks of the brain, negatively affecting capacity for emotional regulation, physical health, cognitive capacity, and behaviour control.

15 Dog Meat-Free Indonesia (DMFI) coalition filmed undercover at two of Indonesia's most notorious markets Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

15 Campaigners visited the Tomohon Extreme Market and Langowan Market to expose the suffering endured by animals Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

15 Dozens of charred animal corpses are laid out at the Tomohon city market in North Sulawesi Credit: AFP

15 Luckily, this dog was saved from the same cruel fate so many other animals suffered at the market in North Sulawesi Credit: AP:Associated Press

15 A campaigner carries the exhausting-looking pup to safety and, hopefully, a wonderful new home Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

"Without a doubt, children who witness the severe beating of dogs in the markets and streets of Indonesia, highly charged traumatic events, would experience long-lasting adverse effects."

Thousands of dogs and cats are killed at the markets in North Sulawesi each week.

Ninety per cent of the animals butchered each weeks are stolen pets, according to an investigation by Animal Friends Manado Indonesia.

It found around 80 per cent of them are imported from other provinces, which is illegal under the country's anti-rabies law which forbids the movement of dogs across provincial borders.

North Sulawesi Province has some of the highest numbers of human deaths from rabies in Indonesia, the majority of which occur in Minahasa Regency where there are several live animal markets.

15 Illegally-caught species of bats, snakes and other reptiles were also butchered at the market Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

15 Local authorities advertise these cruel markets as "must see" tourist attractions Credit: AFP

15 Ninety per cent of the animals butchered each weeks are stolen pets Credit: Dog Meat-Free Indonesia

Kelly O'Meara of Humane Society International said: "These markets are open displays of the most wanton animal cruelty I have ever seen.

"But they also pose a serious risk to public health... The ground is awash with blood, bits of flesh and smashed brain-matter.

"The earth moving with maggots, further increasing the risk of spreading other diseases too.

"If Indonesia has any hope of achieving its goal to eliminate rabies by 2020, it needs to take urgent action to shut down these macabre markets."

GRINCHES Mum reveals HUGE Xmas gift haul for daughter - but some parents brand kid 'spoilt' BABY HORROR Man 'cut open pregnant wife's stomach to check baby's gender as he wanted son' 'I DIDN'T SEE HER' Heartbroken mum who ran over & killed daughter, 1, 'made a mistake' 'STUCK IN ETERNAL HELL' Three Brit friends held against their will in 'covid jail' in Italy SCARRED FOR LIFE Brit arrested after 'biting off passenger's ear' onboard flight to Spain DEAD & BURIED Archaeologists find 27 mummies sealed inside Egyptian well for 2,500 years

Shockingly, these extreme markets are promoted as tourist attractions and even TripAdvisor listed the Tomohon Extreme market as "must see".

It has since removed the listing following a complaint by the Dog Meat-Free Indonesia coalition.

The DMFI coalition has written to local and central governments of Indonesia, calling for urgent action to be taken.

Despite requests for meetings with North Sulawesi provincial government numerous times, officials have so far refused to meet with our campaigners.