21 dogs rescued, 4 meat traders busted in Batangas

These dogs cram inside a motorcycle sidecar being used as a cage in a facility selling dog meat in the province of Batangas. The CIDG rescued the dogs in an operation on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Photo courtesy of CIDG Batangas

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP – CIDG) rescued 21 dogs and recovered 18 dog carcasses from four suspected dog meat traders in Padre Garcia, Batangas on Friday.

The CIDG said the native dogs had their mouths secured shut with ropes and crammed inside a sidecar when the police raided the suspects’ facility in Barangay Quilo Quilo in Padre Garcia.

Chief Insp. Kristelle Hernandez, Deputy Provincial Chief of the CIDG in Batangas, told INQUIRER.net that they received a tip from the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) about the illegal activity in the area.

Hernandez said the live dogs were turned over to the AKF.

Members of the foundation and the National Meat Inspection Service were also present during the operation.

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Hernandez said four arrested suspects were brought to the CIDG office in Batangas.

They will be charged with violation of the Republic Act 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

The CIDG also rescued in the operation a minor who will be turned-over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Hernandez said.

Hernandez said they were informed by AKF that the sale of dog meat in Padre Garcia is common.

She said the CIDG will launch more operations against those involved in the dog meat trade. /gsg