Dogs rescued in two separate raids in Laguna

A non-governmental organization teamed up with the local police to save dogs from being slaughtered during separate raids in San Pedro, Laguna.

An exclusive report by Emil Sumangil on "24 Oras" on Monday said the first raid was conducted in an abandoned house where members of the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) and Laguna police found dogs locked in small cages in dark rooms, and with their legs and muzzle tied. 

"So from there, iyong mga dog meat trader, doon kinukuha iyong mga aso, doon na rin pinapatay, then ita-transfer sa ibang area para katayin," AKF chief veterinarian Dr. Roland Arciga said. 

Authorities recovered tools such as wires and thick wooden sticks used to slaughter the dogs from the abandoned warehouse.

A separate raid was also conducted in a slaughterhouse inside a cemetery where authorities saved at least five dogs, including one named January that was rescued a few moments before it was killed.

The report said January's left eye was already dropping out when the authorities found it. It said the dog had already been hit in the head before it was rescued. 

January was brought to AKF’s dog farm in Capas, Tarlac, where it is now recovering from a surgery, the "24 Oras" report said.

Although the dogs were saved, the police failed to catch the people behind the illegal dog trade in San Pedro.

"Natuto na rin iyong mga dog trader. From area of origin, kinakatay na. Usually, tina-travel iyan sa closed van na mahirap ma-detect na may dala silang karne ng aso," Arciga said.

The report said persons involved in the dog trade are violating the following laws:

• Republic Act 8485 - Animal Welfare Act of 1999
• Republic Act 9482 - The Anti Rabies Law of 2007
• Republic Act 9296 - The Meat Inspection Code
• Republic Act 7394 - The Consumer Act of the Philippines
• Republic Act 10611 - Food Safety Act of the Philippines

"Meron tayong penalty na umaabot ng P5,000 kada aso sa mga nahulihan. At the same time, meron tayong National Meat Inspection Code kung saan kapag nahulihan tayo ng karne ng aso, puwede tayong mapatawan ng parusa ng lima hanggang 10 taon na pagkakakulong," Arciga said. —Trisha Macas/KBK, GMA News