City vet seizes carabao subjected to "tingal"

Officials of the city's Department of Veterinary Medicine yesterday confiscated a carabao which underwent oral forced drenching locally known as "tingal."

City veterinarian Alice Utlang said they would blacklist traders who will adopt "tingal" system to animals, mostly carabaos, during slaughter at the Cebu City Abattoir in the North Reclamation Area.

Utlang said they have strengthened the campaign against "tingal" to comply with a city ordinance filed by Councilor Edgardo Labella prohibiting the act.

Yesterday, the animal owned by Robert Singson, a licensed livestock trader, was confiscated in favor of the city government after authorities noticed that it underwent "tingal."

"Mailhan man nga gipang-tingal ang mga kabaw kay dili na g'yud mobarog bisan unsaon og guyod. Mao nga dili namo ipa-ihaw kay ni-violate man na sila sa city ordinance," Utlang said.

Reports received by veterinary officers revealed that "tingal" is usually done at a vacant lot in the reclamation area in Mandaue City.

"I hope the Mandaue City government will look into this," Utlang said.

Utlang also monitored possible connivance with the city abattoir personnel who are reportedly accepting grease money from traders ranging from P500 to P1000. "Daghang na kaayo ta nadunggang nga dunay mga staff nato modawat pero ako na na sila gi-sample."

Utlang filed a complaint for insubordination against one of her staff, Jose Mandulado, after he reportedly allowed the slaughter of an animal which underwent "tingal."

Recently the management of meat dealer Kings Quality Foods complained to Utlang about the bad quality of meat.

"Lahi man gyud ang unod sa i-tingal nga kabao mao mag-reklamo gyud ang mga meat dealers. Beside, ang pag-timbag moabot og 50 kilos pero sa actual na moabot na lang ug 30 kilos, so alkanse g'yud ang makapalit sa gipang tingal nga kabao," Utlang said.

Traders who adopt "tingal" system will be held liable for violating Republic Act 8485, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act and Consumers' Act.

Earlier, employees of the city abattoir complained to Mayor Tomas Osmeña that Ronda town policeman Roberto Alcazaren, a livestock trader adopting "tingal" system, tried to intimidate them. - Ramil V. Ayuman