Lawmaker seeks to ban dog slaughter

MANILA, Philippines - A measure seeking to stop the practice of slaughtering dogs, which is considered as a traditional delicacy in the Cordillera and Northern Luzon provinces, has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, author of House Resolution 2620, also sought a congressional inquiry to determine if there is a need to strengthen Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act 1998.

“Despite the penalty provision of the law unscrupulous traders involved in the dog meat business continue with its illegal activities,” he said.

He cited the provinces of Pangasinan and Benguet, where dogs are being slaughtered and sold to the public. He also noted reports that dog meat is openly sold and displayed even in the public market in Baguio City.

“RA 8485, which supposedly gives protection to animals and Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, which provides a system of the control, prevention of the spread, and eventual eradication of human and animal rabies and responsible ownership did not stop the dog meat trade,” Villar said.