DOG MEAT IN THE PHILIPPINES: A TOUGH TRADE TO SWALLOW

Dog Meat in the Philippines: A Tough Trade to Swallow
http://www.hsus.org/about_us/humane_society_international_hsi/cruelty_issues_around_the_world/dog_meat_campaign.html
September 19, 2007
HSI
Dogs await rescue during a dog meat seizure in the Philippines.
By Carly Ikuma
In the sweltering heat of a typical summer evening in the Philippines, 100 terrified dogs are packed tightly into a wooden crate in the closed cabin of a large truck. They struggle to breathe through mouths tied tightly with plastic string. With no room to move, piled on top of one another, their desperate whimpers are met with silence. Eight have already died and three others are close behind.
That scene greeted Humane Society International investigators in July, when they were involved with a seizure of more than 100 dogs.
Representatives from HSI and Network for Animals had traveled to the Philippines to learn the extent of the ongoing illegal commercial trade in dog meat. Aiming to put an end the trade, they met with officials and local animal welfare organizations. While they were there, they also documented the cruel reality for the animals whose lives are at stake.
On the Heels of a Brutal Trade
While the Philippine dog meat industry centers in a single northern region, it involves a country-wide underground network of traders, drivers and scouts to get the dogs from source to slaughter. Approximately 500,000 dogs fall victim to the trade every year.
"Traders basically go into communities and either take roaming dogs from the street or convince owners, who live in poverty, to give up their pets for a small amount of money. They probably do not know what they are selling their animals into," said Director of HSI International Programs Kelly O'Meara, who was on-site for the July seizure. "Most of the dogs confiscated from that truck were well-socialized— friendly and wagging their tails. Some had collars. It's sad to witness such an extreme betrayal of their trust of humans."
Enforcement Key to Ending the Dog Meat Trade
Local animal welfare organizations often track traders along the eight hour route from south of the capital, Manila, to Baguio in the north. A law enforcement team brought together through the prompting of the local animal groups has been stopping and arresting the dog traders. The animals are then surrendered to the state for care.
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their illegal and cruel business.
"This is not a 'cultural practice' as some might think—this is a commercial trade," said O'Meara.
The large majority of Filipinos do not agree with the consumption of dog meat. A growing fondness for man's best friend and an expanding pet-keeping culture have added to the disdain for this practice. But while the dog meat trade has been illegal since the passage of the Animal Welfare Act in 1998, a lack of strong penalties and enforcement has allowed the industry to flourish.
Campaigning for Canines
Passage of a new law aimed at eradicating rabies in the Philippines, the Anti-Rabies Law of 2007, may pave the way to the end of the dog meat trade once and for all. While the focus of the law is rabies, it also puts tough new penalties in place for those involved in the deadly trade.
Previously, the fine levied for an entire truckload of dogs amounted to only $19—not much of a deterrent. With the new penalties in place, fines have drastically increased to $100 per dog and between one to four years of jail time. Animal welfare groups are also mobilizing to strengthen enforcement of the law and provide immediate care for the confiscated dogs.
HSI applauds local groups and authorities in the Philippines such as the Animal Welfare Coalition and Senator Pia Cayetano for their vigilant work in getting this new law passed. They, along with others, are now assuming the responsibility of publicizing this law and its enforcement to better the lives of dogs in the Philippines.
Rescued and Rebuilding Trust
"A few of the dogs were transferred to PAWS' (Philippines Animal Welfare Society ) PARC shelter, an HSI Animal Advocate and Shelter Partner. "The dogs' dispositions are so sweet, people find it hard to believe they were rescued from the dog meat trade," said Anna Nieves Cabrera, PAWS manager.
During the removal of the dogs following the seizure, "one, a brown male given the nickname of Pinoy, was so affectionate and full of kisses for any passerby," said O'Meara. "Another, a white male, was wagging his tail non-stop while being pulled from this truck. Even after their horrific experience, these dogs were still so trusting of people."
HSI
Rescued dogs at a shelter.
Local organizations like AWC and PAWS have ongoing campaigns that promote animal welfare awareness in the Philippines. In addition, their campaigns help to create a culture of animal adoption and proper care of pets. HSI is supporting the important work of local organizations in the Philippines and further strengthening their ability to be an effective voice in the Filipino community.
HSI has joined forces with Network for Animals, PAWS, AWC and local authorities to crack down on the dog meat trade through funding for training to enforce the law, immediate care for confiscated animals, and a public awareness campaign about the cruel trade.

-- Prof. Dr. Núria Querol i Viñas, BSc, MDFounder of GEVHA. Grupo para el Estudio de la Violencia Hacia Humanos y Animales http://www.gevha.com/Professor at Escola de Prevenció i Seguretat Integral Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona http://www.seguridadintegral.org/
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