It looks as if the international attention on the Philippines’ dogmeat trade may be having a positive affect.
Thanks to the Manila Bulletin Online for this article.
Please be advised that this article has some very upsetting information.
76 dogs rescued at quarantine checkpoint
By DEXTER A. SEE
TUBA, Benguet Personnel of the Department of Agricultures (DA) quarantine division, Tuba municipal police station, and Animal Kingdom Foundation rescued recently 76 dogs at a quarantine checkpoint established at Poyopoy on Marcos Highway here.
Arrested in the act of transporting the dogs aboard a Kia van with license plate number XKD-731 was Roberto Zapata Garcia. It was alleged that he violated the Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 8485.
On Oct. 12, 2006, Garcia was also arrested by elements of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) on Kennon road for illegally transporting 96 dogs.
Despite the “no overtaking” sign at the quarantine checkpoint, Garcia overtook a bus, prompting the checkpoint personnel to chase and arrest him.
The DA employees manning the quarantine checkpoint on Marcos Highway said that they want to clear their names in connection with reports that some quarantine checkpoints in the region are receiving money in exchange for giving free passage by dog traders.
They said that they had never received money from them.
Garcia said the dogs are to be delivered to the Comiles and Bugayong slaughterhouses in La Trinidad.
While Garcia was being interrogated, some personnel of the slaughterhouses and some butchers arrived and reportedly offered settlement for the recovery of the dogs.
However, the Animal Welfare Act Task Force officers composed of quarantine officer Dr. Delfin Layagan, AWA TF Secretary Pranin Kiwang, Dr. Cesar Cacam of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Dr. Luis Lang-oy of the DA livestock division, and Brando Gegway of the AKF told them that they will pursue legal actions against the dog traders.
Inspection conducted by the quarantine officers showed that all of the dogs were muzzled, suffering from suffocation, and lying on their feces and urine. Some were even severely infested with skin diseases, mange, and ticks.
Because the DA has no facility, all the dogs were turned over to the custody of the Animal Kingdom Foundations rescue center in Barangay Cobcob, Capas, Tarlac. The dogs will be subjected to treatment until they are well. Later, the dogs will be adopted by pet lovers.
The intensified animal-quarantine checkpoint operation on road leading to Baguio City is among the activities AWA TF had agreed to implement to address the issue over where to start implementing the action plans to stop the supply of dogs transported to Baguio City and La Trinidad and supplied to eateries in these places.
