5 dogs rescued, 3 alleged dog-meat traders nabbed in Bulacan

The Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) and Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) rescued five dogs during a raid at an illegal slaughterhouse in Bulacan.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, two more dogs were also found dead during the raid in San Ildefonso.

Authorities arrested three suspects who now face charges for violating the Animal Welfare Act of 1996 and the Anti-rabies Act of 2007.

Confiscated during the raid were one weighing scale, a blue torch, and a pipe.

Police Cornel Dave Mahilum, CIDG provincial field unit chief, said the suspects have long been engaged in selling dog meat.

“Mayroon din talaga tayong mga kababayan na nahilig sa karne ng aso,” Mahilum said. “Kadalsan sir mayroon ‘yung mga lokal (na parokyano) at ‘yung iba sir, dinadala po doon sa Norte, sir. Inaakyat po sa Baguio.”

(Others like eating dog meat. Often, the patrons are local while others are being brought to Baguio.)

Based on the investigation of the CIDG, the suspects hunt for stray dogs to sell but when they cannot find one, they will buy a cheaper dog and sell it for a higher price.

Dog meat is worth around P300 to P400, according to the authorities.

Meanwhile, AKF warned that consuming dog meat puts individuals at risk from infections.

“Ang pagkain po ng aso ay delikado. Napakarami pong health risks involved tungkol dito. Unang-una po ito ay tinatawag na isang maruming karne or contaminated meat. Hindi ito fit for human consumption,” Atty. Heidi Marquez Gamboa, Program Director of AKF, said.

(Eating dog meat is dangerous. There are many health risks involved. It is mainly called dirty meat or contaminated meat. It is not fit for human consumption.) — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News