Hundred People Robbed of Their Holiday Feast. It's a Christmas Miracle (you just might agree...)


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Wednesday, December 25, 2002

Hundred People Robbed of Their Holiday Feast.
It's a Christmas Miracle (you just might agree...)

BAGUIO CITY (Philippines) — More than a hundred people will go hungry this Christmas, and it serves them right. The Philippine Star reports that their intended Christmas meals were live dogs.

Police in Baguio intercepted three vans en route to the illegal slaughterhouse on Saturday, Dec. 21. Inside the vans they found 175 caged and muzzled dogs, almost half of which had died in transit. But miraculously, 91 survived and were rescued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

The regional chief of the CIDG, Superintendent Generoso Bonifacio, reported that the suspects, six men and one woman, were trying to supply dog meat to illegal Baguio slaughterhouses in time for the Christmas holidays.

Supt. Bonifacio expressed his personal outrage at the ongoing problem. "It's supposed to be a man's best friend, but here they're killed in a most cruel way," he said.

'Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!'
This pooch was freed with a pair of wire cutters after Philippine police discovered cages of dogs bound for an illegal slaughterhouse. Dog lovers came forward to adopt the healthy ones, and reportedly one lucky pooch found a new home in England.
(Photo: Compassionate Traveler)

In 1998, the Philippine government outlawed the killing of dogs for food with Republic Act No. 8485 following an outcry from animal lovers. Under the Act, convicted offenders shall be "punished by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years or a fine or not less than One thousand pesos [US $20] nor more that Five thousand pesos [US $100] or both at the discretion of the Court." ¹

But authorities say the practice continues in many areas, particularly in regions of the north. Enforcement of the law has been weak until recent months. The first police raid to enforce the 1998 ban occurred two months ago and drew enormous praise from the international community (see Oct. 11 "Dog Lovers Raid Restaurant, Rescue 52 Dogs").

Since then, authorities have intensified their anti-dog meat operations and have rescued more than 500 dogs in Baguio alone.

What can I do to help?

An article in Compassionate Traveler suggests writing a letter of support to the Philippine government urging them to continue their efforts. Below is an excerpt from CT's sample letter to the Philippine Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Richard Gordon.
Email: rjgordon@tourism.gov.ph

Dear Mr. Gordon,

I am writing to you concerning the illegal dog meat trade in your country. I was happy to learn that recently your government began enforcing its laws outlawing the trade in dog meat. I commend your government for taking this action.

I understand that much more needs to be done to put a stop to this practice, which results in great suffering for many dogs. I urge you to do all within your power to encourage your government to further its efforts and strive to eliminate the dog meat trade completely.

Sincerely,
————

For more ideas and addresses of government officials, please see Compassionate Traveler's "Philippine Dogmeat Trade Update Oct. 2002".

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Headlines^PrevNext

Sources

DUMLAO, Artemio
"91 dogs saved from X'mas pot"
Philippine Star
24 Dec 2002

"Busted"
Compassionate Traveler
Oct 2002

¹ Animal Welfare Act of 1998
[Republic Act 8485]

Fed Up with Dog Meat Kitchens, Dog Lovers Raid Restaurant

World Cup:
Spain Saves Mutt from Meat Market; New Mascot Leads Team to Victory

Dogs in Distress, Jean-Claude Van Damme to the Rescue
(good thing he's on our side)

Recent Progress in Animal Abuse Law Around the World