Dog slaughterhouse raided

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) swooped down on a slaughterhouse in La Trinidad, Benguet last Thursday morning and saved 44 dogs from being killed.

Senior Inspector Nestor Bangayan, chief of the CIDG’s Special Operations Group, said the slaughterhouse, allegedly run by Sammy Bugtong Comiles, yielded 10 dead dogs and at least 48 kilos of dog meat ready for transport.

Comiles owns a chain of restaurants serving dog meat in Baguio City and La Trinidad.

Comiles was taken to the CIDG regional office in Baguio City for questioning and booking for violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

The government’s National Meat Inspection Commission does not regard dogs as food animals, thus prohibiting the sale of dog meat to the public.

Senior Superintendent Marvin Bolabola, CIDG-Cordillera chief, said the operation dubbed "Task Force Animal" was ordered by PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao after US animal rights advocate Martin Hanz called the PNP’s attention to the illegal dog trade in the country, particularly in the Cordilleras. — Artemio Dumlao