Animal welfare group says traders turn to sale of cooked, mixed dog-goat meat

An animal welfare advocacy group reported that there are individuals involved in the illegal dog meat trade who shifted their strategy so as not to be caught, including selling cooked dog meat and mixing dog meat with goat meat.

In Marisol Abdurahman's report on “24 Oras,” Attorney Heidi Caguioa, Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) President said that the advocacy of combatting illegal slaughter of dogs has gained ground over the years.

In the past, they were able to rescue 300 dogs to 600 dogs in one trip and the number of rescues have gone down.

However, Caguioa noted that the slaughter of dogs is now conducted in nondescript places and in some cases, dog meat is mixed with goat meat while others sell cooked dog meat.

“Kinakatay na po nila mga aso sa mga lugar na tago. At kinakalakal, kung hindi man luto na, karne po ito na naghahalo sa karne ng kambing,” said .

“Kinagisnan na ang pagkain ng aso hindi man nga ulam eh bilang pulutan. Parte pa rin ito ng kultura at tradisyon,” she added.

To which, Animal Kingdom Foundation is taking steps to address the problem.

Earlier today, a national forum was organized by the AKF with the objective of putting an end to the dog meat trade in the country.

An international animal advocate group, Soi Dog praised their local counterparts in the steps taken to stop the illegal trade.

“Philippines is just on the cusp of greatness in achieving complete stamping out of meat trade as compared to other Southeast Asian countries,” Faisan Jalil, from Soi Dog, adding that they will continue to support AKF. — Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News