Daily Animal Welfare News (DAWN)

DOG TRADERS SENTENCED TO JAIL, TO PAY ₱150,000

2011-07-30T08:52:00.002+08:00

Ivy Joy D. Buenaobra

EducationOfficer

Animal KingdomFoundation, Inc.

BAGUIO CITY – Score one for bantay and doglovers in the country.

Four dog traders were sentenced recently toeach serve a year in jail and pay a total of ₱150,000 in fines after beingfound guilty of trading dog meat.

Demetrio Palawi, Rogelio Miana, JunjunBugayong, and Marlon Barte were all pleaded guilty in violation of RepublicActs 7394 (The Consumer Act) and 9482 (The Anti Rabies Law of 2007). Charges onaccomplice Aggie Payumo, a minor, were dropped on grounds of “acting withoutdiscernment” as assessed by the City Welfare Development Office. Payumo,however, was still ordered by the court to share in the payment of criminal penalty.

Baguio City police officers arrest illegal dogtraders last November 5, 2010 in an operation that has lead to convictions andthe prevention of the sale of 30 dog carcasses.

“This is a groundbreaking case and establishesa legal precedence since this is the first time that we won a jail sentenceunder the Anti-Rabies Law and Consumer Act,” said Atty. Heidi Marquez-Caguioa,legal officer of the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), a UK-fundednon-government organization working in the Philippines.

AKF, together with the CordilleraAdministrative Region – Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, arrested theaccused and seized the delivery of 30 dog carcasses in an operation lastNovember 5, 2010. The police says areas in Baguio City are under continuoussurveillance.

“Dog traders beware! The police are workingeven more rigorously to apprehend violators,” warns Luis Buenaflor, Jr., AKFdirector for operations and external affairs. “You can always have a choice tonot engage in crime and not to jeopardize your family’s future,” he added.

Animal Kingdom Foundation is the localaffiliate of the International Wildlife Coalition Trust (IWCT) based in theUnited Kingdom. AKF’s mission to is to support, protect, and promote thewelfare and the rights of animals; to eliminate the practice of illegalslaughter of dogs for human consumption and to introduce legislations oramendments in the existing animal welfare laws of the Philippines. Thefoundations have been the forefront of animal welfare advocacy in the countrysince 2002. Enforcing the RA 8485 – The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 – againstillegal dog-traders is the main weapon utilized by the AKF in its day to dayoperations against animal cruelty.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

IWCT & AKF Welcome Dogs Trust-UK

2011-01-10T21:52:00.000+08:00

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Dog-eaters in Taiwan after 10 Years.

2011-01-03T21:55:00.001+08:00

First posted at: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

"This is the first case of its kind in the greater Taipei area over the past 10 years," Hsieh Sung-chih, an official at the New Taipei City Government, told AFP.

TAIPEI - Five Taiwanese men are facing a fine of more than 3,000 US dollars each for killing and eating two dogs in what an official said was the first such case in a decade in the Taipei area.

The five, all aged in their 50s or older, were caught slaughtering the dogs in Yingke, outside Taipei, in May and were subsequently investigated for allegedly abusing the two animals.

Although acquitted by a prosecutor last month, the five -- several of them jobless -- face a fine of 100,000 Taiwan dollars (3,300 US) each for violating the animal protection law.

While some people of Chinese origin used to eat dog on the island, it is now an offence to eat either dogs or cats and anyone doing so faces fines of up to 500,000 Taiwan dollars under local law.

"This is the first case of its kind in the greater Taipei area over the past 10 years," Hsieh Sung-chih, an official at the New Taipei City Government, told AFP.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

An Advent Reflection on God and Animal Cruelty

2010-12-16T13:35:00.000+08:00

Author: Bruce Freidrich

Advent is upon us. It's a particularly holy time of the year for Christians, a time for us to ponder the meaning of Christ's birth, his proclamation of "Good News" for the poor and downtrodden, and the degree to which our lives align with Christ's vision. And so I view Advent as a key time to reflect and consider whether I'm living up to my Christian call to service on behalf of a more compassionate world.

From 1990-1996, I lived and worked in a "hospitality house" in Washington, D.C., sharing my life with the city's most down and out people, as a part of the Catholic Worker movement. We provided shelter to homeless families, as well as food, clothing and blankets to the city's poor. While I was there, a friend gave me Christianity and the Rights of Animals by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Linzey, an Anglican Priest and professor of theology at Oxford University. It changed my life.
As a result of my prayer over Linzey's work and conversations with my spiritual director at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, my focus turned to animal protection, where it's stayed for the last 15 years. Since that time, I've occasionally been asked why I focus my efforts on protecting animals, rather than humans. So, as this Advent season begins, I decided to offer some thoughts on why I view working on behalf of animals -- and especially farmed animals -- as God's work.

God's Design
Pope Benedict XVI stated in an interview that the question of animal treatment is a crucial one for the faithful. By any measure, what happens to farmed animals today is anti-Christian. For example, as His Holiness explained, "hens live so packed together that they become just caricatures of birds." Similar abuse occurs in all of the farmed animal industries. Explains His Holiness, "this degrading of living creatures to a commodity contradict[s] the relationship of mutuality that comes across in the Bible."

Indeed, it doesn't take much reflection to see that the Pope is right: God created humans and other animals out of flesh, blood and bone. We share the same five physiological senses and the ability to feel pain. God designed us this way. God designed all animals with a desire to enjoy sunlight, fresh air, fresh water and the rest of God's creation. God designed pigs to root around in the soil for food and play with one another. God designed chickens to make nests, lay eggs, raise their chicks and establish communities (the "pecking order").
Yet agribusiness today denies animals their most fundamental needs. Chickens are crammed into cages by the hundreds of thousands, each with less space than a standard sheet of paper on which to live. During pregnancy, pigs are stuffed into tiny metal crates so small they can't even turn around. Forget rooting in the soil or laying their eggs in nests -- these animals can barely move. The one natural thing they do get to experience is agony, and lots of it.

Agricultural Frankenstein scientists "play God" by manipulating animals to grow so quickly that their hearts, lungs and limbs can't keep up, often causing heart attacks, lung failure or crippling leg deformities within weeks of birth. Modern farmed animals have their beaks seared off and are castrated without pain relief, mutilations that, if done without anesthesia to a dog or cat, would be illegal. Finally, those who survive these factory farms are trucked by the billions -- without food or water -- to a hellish death at a slaughterhouse. Chickens and turkeys have it the worst there: Nearly all of the 9 billion slaughtered each year are conscious when their throats are cut, and, according to the USDA, millions are boiled alive.

Michael Specter, writing for the New Yorker, described his visit to a modern chicken shed: "I was almost knocked to the ground by the overpowering smell of feces and ammonia. My eyes burned and so did my lungs, and I could neither see nor breathe. ... There must have been thirty thousand chickens sitting silently on the floor in front of me. They didn't move, didn't cluck. They were almost like statues of chickens, living in nearly total darkness, and they would spend every minute of their six-week lives that way."

Jesus' message is one of love and compassion, yet there is nothing loving or compassionate about the modern industries that produce almost all of the chickens, pigs and other farmed animals that are turned into meat in this country. Christians have a choice: When we sit down to eat, we can support misery and cruelty or we can make choices that support mercy and compassion. Shouldn't that be an easy decision for us?
Father John Dear, a Jesuit Priest from New Mexico, explains: "Many Christians who agree that harming a dog or cat is wrong think nothing of harming cows, pigs, chickens, fish and other creatures. We need to understand that if we're eating meat, we are paying people to be cruel to animals."

He continues: "For the simple reasons that all animals are creatures beloved by God and that God created them with a capacity for pain and suffering, we should adopt a vegetarian diet."

Living Christ's Message, Not the Status Quo
In Animal Theology, Rev. Linzey writes that "[a]nimals are God's creatures, not human property, nor utilities, nor resources, nor commodities, but precious beings in God's sight. ... Christians whose eyes are fixed on the awfulness of crucifixion are in a special position to understand the awfulness of innocent suffering. The Cross of Christ is God's absolute identification with the weak, the powerless, and the vulnerable, but most of all with unprotected, undefended, innocent suffering."

So this Advent season, I'm thinking a lot about fallen humanity, what our fallen nature means about how we interact with animals, and what Jesus' arrival means for us and how we lead our lives. When Christians pray, "Your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven," the one prayer given to us by Jesus, it seems to me that this should obligate us to, as much as we can, make choices that are as merciful and loving as possible. We are a fallen humanity, but with regard to eating God's creatures, this is one area where we can begin to live the eschaton vision of the prophets (and Jesus) -- right now.

Father Dear explains: "Vegetarianism proves that we're serious about our belief in compassion and justice, that we're mindful of our commitment, day in and day out, every time we eat. We are reminded of our belief in mercy, and we remind others. We begin to live the nonviolent vision, right here and now."

All the questions that are put forth in favor of eating animals (e.g., "Didn't God put animals here for our use?" and "What about animal sacrifice in the Bible?" and "What about the loaves and the fishes?") don't address the fundamental fact that eating God's creatures causes needless suffering. None of the common rationalizations address the points I've discussed above. None of them respond to the fact that today, eating God's creatures is inextricably linked to their abuse. If you are eating meat, you're paying others to deny God's animals their natures, and to abuse them. Even the very few organic and small farms abuse animals in ways that would be illegal if done to dogs or cats. Watch this video (also posted at the end of this reflection), if you're not sure.
And of course, these same justifications for animal slaughter or eating meat fall to the side when one is challenged to directly partake in the process: Would you want to sear the beaks off of baby chickens or castrate pigs and cows without painkillers? Would you want to cut a pig's throat and eviscerate him? Would you want to personally stuff eight hens in a cage the size of a file drawer and lock it shut for 18 months?
It might be boring, but we could all watch grains being tilled or spend an afternoon shucking corn or picking beans, fruits or vegetables. But how many of us could spend an afternoon slitting open animals' throats? If we wouldn't do it, where is the basic integrity in paying others to mete out these cruelties on our behalf?
Thankfully, the Church is showing signs of life on the issue, marked in part by Pope Benedict's condemnation of factory farming. Rev. Linzey writes in Animal Theology: "[G]o back just two hundred years, and we will find intelligent, respectable and conscientious Christians supporting almost without question the trade in slaves as inseparable from Christian civilization and human progress."

The challenge is not, of course, to point out how morally backward so many Christians were just 200 years ago. The challenge is to ask what's happening now that in 50 or 100 years will warrant similar ethical incredulity. It is a simple fact that all animals are God's creatures, and that what is happening to them today, with widespread Christian support, is ethically indefensible.

Father Dear continues: "I am convinced that society will look back on human arrogance and cruelty toward other animals with the same horror and disbelief that we presently reserve for atrocities committed against human beings." And more and more people of faith are waking up to the fact that modern farming practices warrant both suspension of our support and Jeremiah-level denunciation.

And that latter understanding, that people of faith should be speaking out for justice for all God's creatures and not just the human ones, explains my role, given to me by God through mindfulness and prayer.
Decision Points
It's Advent, a time for reflection on our lives. I hope that if you eat meat, you will spend some of the season reflecting on whether eating God's creatures reconciles with our hope for God's peace on earth.
Happy Advent.

Watch "Glass Walls," narrated by Sir Paul McCartney.

Watch Free Range, a short documentary on animal welfare.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Tail-pipe Killing Halted!

2010-09-25T10:14:00.000+08:00

Must love dogs and cats, too
DOG DAZE By Kathy Moran (The Philippine Star) Updated August 21, 2010 12:00 AM

In life, there is always hope — and if we truly believe, good things happen.

For those of us who have been fighting for the re-study of Administrative Order 21 (AO 21), which allows for the tambucho-gassing to death of pound dogs as a way of putting them down, good news has finally arrived.

The office of Agriculture Secretary Prospero Alcala has just confirmed that AO 13 (that is the new AO number for the Revised Rules on Euthanasia of Animals, replacing AO21) has been referred back to the Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW) for review and reconsideration.

We continue to wait, and hope, that Secretary Alcala, through the CAW, will re-study very carefully the methods of putting down animals, not just those in pounds, but animals anywhere they may be.

It is my hope that methods like tambucho-gassing and other cruel methods of ending an animal’s life are all removed. After all, euthanasia, as I understand it, is about ending the life of an animal in a humane way.

The members of the CAW are:

1. Philippine Veterinary Medical Association

2. Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP)

3. Philippine Animal Hospital Association (PA HA)

4. Philippine College of Canine Practitioners (PCCP)

5. Philippine Society of Animal Science (PSAS)

6. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

7. Department of Education (DepEd)

8. Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA)

9. Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

10. National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)

11. Philippine Society of Swine Practitioners (PSSP)

12 The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

13 Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA)

When AO 21 was first passed, PAWS and PSPCA were the only groups that opposed tambucho-gassing of pound dogs, sadly, they were outvoted.

* * *

Anna told me that she met last week with Representative Irvin Alcala of the second district of Lucena City. Anna presented to Alcala the side of the animal welfare groups against AO21. After the meeting, Alcala met with his father, Agriculture Secretary Alcala.

“We are very happy that Secretary Alcala has heeded the public outcry over the tambucho-killing to retract the Administrative Order,” says Anna.

As of Aug. 16, the Agriculture Secretary officially tossed back the AO to CAW for review and reconsideration.

“This is good news for animal welfare advocates who have renewed hope that the CAW will now take out tambucho-gassing from the approved methods of euthanasia,” adds Anna. “CAW will meet soon to discuss the issue.”

Yes, dear doggies, there is hope in this country.

The Real Heroes

And here is more good news. Regardless of what the AO says, the following cities have chosen to take the compassionate path by not using tambucho-gassing as a way of getting rid of unclaimed stray dogs in their pounds:

Mandaluyong City — The city has received a commendation from PAWS for having an active adoption and re-homing program in their pound. Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. met with PAWS officers telling them of his plans to train the unclaimed dogs as bomb sniffers and police dogs. This was long before the Philippine National Police came up with a similar plan.

Makati City — Dogs are put down through the injection of sodium pentobarbital or Euthal, and absolutely no dog is tambucho-gassed. Dr. Vivien “Pinky” Manalastas says that Mayor Jun-Jun Binay, like his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, is a staunch advocate of responsible pet ownership and does not want any pound dog suffering under his watch.

Marikina City — Dr. Manuel “Bobot” Carlos says that Marikina has not used any other method of euthanasia except for injection of barbiturates ever since he became city veterinarian.

Quezon City — Mayor Herbert Bautista texted Anna of PAWS to inform them that he fully supports the campaign against tambucho-gassing, and that Quezon City will continue to uphold animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

Bacoor Cavite — So supportive is Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla of animal welfare that he organized the Strike Animal Welfare Society (SAWS), and put it under the management of concerned private citizen and PAWS volunteer Aileen de Guzman. SAWS operations and educational campaigns are closely patterned after PAWS. SAWS gets advice and legal assistance for some neglect and cruelty cases from PAWS

Province of Batangas — Governor Vilma Santos-Recto has issued a statement through provincial veterinarian Dr. Marvin L. Rocafort that she will never allow tambucho-killing in the province of Batangas.

“It is inhuman,” says the lady governor. She is very upset at news of the dogs killed using vehicle-exhaust fumes. “We have to be compassionate and we have to do the right thing.”

Dr. Rocafort could not agree more. He has spearheaded efforts to prevent the animal cruelty by organizing proper and humane dog-catching for Cuenca personnel, in cooperation with PAWS, and has also recently organized a successful free pet spay-neuter program in Inoslaban, Batangas with Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) and PAWS.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Cruel Zoo: Malabon Zoo, Philippines.

2010-08-20T21:57:00.000+08:00

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Gassing dogs is very cruel form of euthanasia

2010-08-11T06:55:00.000+08:00

By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:43:00 08/10/2010

HOW VERY ironic that the body tasked to enforce the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (AWA, which is the Filipino word for “pity”), a law that mandates the humane treatment of all animals, is now advocating a very cruel method of killing stray dogs, commonly referred to as “askals” or “asong kalye.” (The correct name for Philippine dogs is “aspin,” for asong Pinoy, which is recognized and registered in the International Canine Society.) This body is the Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW), composed of representatives from government and private agencies and organizations concerned with animals. It is supervised by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Animal Industry. These institutions are: the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines, Philippine Animal Hospital Association, Philippine College of Canine Practitioners, Philippine Society of Animal Science, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Meat Inspection Service, Philippine Society of Swine Practitioners, Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), and Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPC). Dr. Enrique Carlos is CAW chairman.

Recently, CAW met to discuss how best to get rid of unwanted stray dogs. The method of execution proposed was by gassing, or what is called “tambucho gassing.” Dogs are kept in a small closed box, the tailpipe (the tambucho) of a jeepney is inserted in a small opening, and the jeepney’s engine started. The exhaust fumes of the engine enters the box and asphyxiates the dogs.

It is the carbon monoxide that kills the dogs. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless but poisonous gas, so death is supposed to be painless. But that is not what happens to the dogs. The exhaust from the jeepney’s engine is full of smoke and carbon particles, the same as what you see spewing from the tailpipes of diesel-run buses and trucks. The black toxic fumes slowly choke the dogs. They gag, they wretch, they vomit, they cannot breathe. They twitch and roll, they involuntarily defecate. They claw the walls frantically, they cry for help, they desperately search for a safe corner. But there is no safe corner. It is a very painful and cruel death.

That is supposed to be euthanasia, a merciful death? No, it is not. It is torture.

The representatives of PAWS and SPCA in CAW voted against tambucho gassing.

The merciful way to euthanize a dog is to put it to sleep by injecting it with the drug Euthal, or sodium pentobarbital. It costs only P200 (roughly $4) to euthanize a medium to large-sized dog—less if you buy the drug wholesale. Less Euthal is needed if the condemned dog is small or medium-sized, which most aspins are. That’s not too much to give man’s best friend a painless and merciful death.

CAW obviously thinks that is too much.

But in the first place, why should cost be a factor in the determination of what is a humane death? Cost should not redefine cruelty as compassion.

The humane and correct way to solve the problem of stray dogs is not to kill them but to educate and discipline pet owners through effective laws. And to have animal shelters instead of city pounds that only catch stray animals and put them to death. Animal shelters take care of unwanted animals and put them up for adoption by responsible families. They give free advice to pet owners. They give cheap or free veterinary service. They sterilize pets so that they don’t multiply indiscriminately. CARA, another animal welfare organization, sterilizes stray dogs and cats for free and then lets them loose again. That way, although they remain strays, they do not multiply. Local government units should do likewise.

Many pet owners (you will be surprised to learn that many of them are educated and live in upscale villages) are too stingy to spend a few pesos to have their dogs and cats sterilized, and when they give birth to litters, they tell their house help to throw the kittens and puppies in parks, empty lots and sidewalks. These throwaways become the strays. Other homeowners take home cute puppies and kittens, but when these become adults and are no longer cute, they turn them out into the streets. These are the pet owners that the government should discipline.

It is sad that government-run city pounds and barangays are the ones that abet the blackmarket in dog meat. Employees of city pounds and some barangay officials sell captured dogs to dog traders who ship them alive but cramped in very small cages to the provinces, usually to Baguio and nearby provinces, where “asocena” or dog meat, is a favorite dish. Thus, the dogs suffer during the long trips before they are put to death very cruelly—by being clubbed at the base of the head.

Back to tambucho gassing. Thousands of animal lovers, spearheaded by PAWS, has forwarded a petition to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala to rescind the CAW administrative order legitimizing this very cruel form of “euthanasia.” Tambucho gassing is without doubt a form of abject animal cruelty. It has no place in any civilized country which, I would like to think, the Philippines still is. It will give us a blackeye in the international community. The Philippine image will be that of a primitive and very cruel nation.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

DA Fully Supports the Humane Treatment of Animals in Adherence to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998

2010-08-06T08:21:00.002+08:00

(August 05, 2010)

In his report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Director Efren C. Nuestro of the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said the law’s implementing rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the DA Secretary, was prepared by the DA Committee on Animal Welfare (DA-CAW), which conducted exhaustive consultations with stakeholders in several public hearings.

The committee is composed of representatives from six government agencies, six professional organizations or associations, and two animal societies.

He said the DA issued an Administrative Order (AO), particularly DA-AO No. 13, Series of 2010, on the “Revised Rules and Regulations on the Euthanasia of Animals.” It states that the person performing euthanasia should have the technical competence to administer it. And the preferred method shall always be by injection. Further, the AO states that euthanasia and slaughter shall always be done away from public view.

Nuestro said the killing of the animals shall be done through humane procedures at all times, using the most scientific methods available as may be determined and approved by the DA-CAW. Only those procedures approved by the committee shall be used in the killing of animals.

He said the DA-AO No. 13 was signed and approved by the majority of the DA-CAW members, including the Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

He said the DA-AO No. 13 recommends the preferential use of injectable barbiturates, but provides other options for the implementers at Local Government Units (LGUs) to dispose of impounded stray dogs. Barbiturates are regulated drugs, and thus are given only to competent authorities or personnel, Nuestro said . # # # (DA-BAI)

Pls Refer to :

Dr. Efren C. Nuestro

Director, Bureau of Animal Industry

Tel. nos. 928-6883 or 928-2429; CP 0919-8503466

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Horrors of tambucho gassing of unwanted dogs

2010-08-04T09:09:00.000+08:00

By Patricia Bermudez-Hizon
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

August 3rd, 2010

In city and municipal pounds across the country, they are and have been using a horrifying method of putting down unclaimed and unwanted dogs.

Just recently, the Department of Agriculture enacted an Administrative Order which allows for the inhumane “tambucho-gassing method” of dogs (and even cats).

The procedure starts with seven to ten dogs manhandled and stuffed in a metal box that they seal. The dogs as one can imagine howl and wail in panic and fear, scratching the walls of the box, and each other. A hose is connected from a vehicle’s exhaust pipe (tambucho) to the metal box. The vehicle revs its engine continuously for 10 to 15 minutes, emitting poisonous fumes, sending the dogs to a maddening frenzy, whimpering and howling, feeling every bit of pain possible.

Then… silence. Death.

A monthly average of 200 unclaimed stray dogs are put to death in city pounds across the Philippines. Multiply that average by the number of Philippine cities of 138, and you would have 27,600 that need to be euthanized every month. The tambucho killing method is currently being done on a weekly basis in some provinces with the use of improvised gas chambers. Some of these allow the gas to leak, making it a longer, more painful torture. Sometimes, the dogs are in the metal box, crying for help for an hour.

It’s upsetting how the Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW) allowed for the inclusion of “tambucho killing” in the Administrative Order (AO) on Euthanasia of Animals which was approved by the Department of Agriculture last June. The AO states that this is an accepted and legal method of euthanasia.

Organizations like Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) and The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), among others, have been vehemently objecting to the inclusion of gassing throughout the deliberations of the CAW up to the public hearing in May 2009. They continue to fight and are urging the public to join them.

Euthanasia means “good death.” Where is the good in this? Is it good because it costs less and it augurs well for the city or municipality”s budget?

The main rationale for the government would condone this cruel way of putting down animals is economic reasons. They gauge that it would only take P5 to put down a dog by way of tambucho gassing. As opposed to injecting sodium pentobarbital (or Euthal) by well-trained and caring personnel which is the preferred method for providing the most humane death for dogs and cats. They just get numb and go to sleep according to veterinarians. The injection of barbiturates is also included in the said AO on Euthanasia of Animals, but because it costs about P150 (before wholesale, before bargains, before tax exemptions, before government support) per dog, they would rather employ the cheaper option. Where is the good in this?

What’s needed is for Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala to retract the approval of the AO on Euthanasia of Animals which includes tambucho gassing as a legal method of killing animals.

Other countries have similar but a lot more sophisticated means of putting down animals. In Japan and the US, for example, according to Luis Benaflor of the AKF, they have a chamber that even looks like an operating room for humans, where they use carbon monoxide (CO) in cylinders which is odorless, tasteless and colorless, although their method already draws a lot of controversy. But because CO is not available in the Philippines, we resort to the more barbaric, painful, cruel version.

More than that, this method adds to the woes of our environment. Imagine the greenhouse gas emissions of these vehicles that will be revved for at least 10 minutes per murder session, multiply that by the number of times they have to perform it in a week, times the number of dog pounds across the country. Has anyone really considered the carbon footprint this will leave behind?

“If we need to put a dog to death because he cannot be cared for, the least we can do is send him off as painlessly and as humanely as possible,” said Anna Cabrera, PAWS program director.

“Death by tambucho is not a humane death and should not be included among the legal euthanasia methods in an Administrative Order under The Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act 8485 — a law which was created to protect animals from suffering and cruelty just because it’s a more economical choice,” added Nancy Cu-Unjieng of CARA.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Calling on President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. This is no “wang-wang” or “tong” but it surely does have a greater effect on the moral fiber of our nation.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Baguio City Veterinarian, Dog Meat Not Good For Your Health

2010-08-01T17:38:00.002+08:00

From Manila Bulletin: (Baguio veterinarian warns vs consuming dog meat) By DEXTER A. SEE July 30, 2010, 5:26pm

The Baguio City Veterinary Office advised the public not to eat dog meat because it can make them ill.

Dr. Brigit Piok, Baguio City veterinarian, said dog meat could be loaded with bacteria and viruses that can cause dangerous diseases.

She added that dog meat is not tested by the proper authorities to be sold for human consumption.

Eating dog meat has been part of the culture of the Cordillera region but this practice was through a rite called "daw-es", a cleansing ritual.

Restaurants in the region sell different menus of dog meat.

These includes the insides of the dog, its head and even dog sausages or "longaniza” known in Cordillera as “pinuneg.”

Part of a dog's head sold in a bar in Baguio City

Piok said dog eaters must abandon eating dog meat since it can badly affect their health plus they do not know where these dogs came from.

She added that dog meat does not warm bodies as claimed by the dog meat eaters saying such claims “are just psychological.”

Rescued dogs from a slaughterhouse in La Trinidad, Benguet

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Malabon Zoo, Manila, Philippines

2010-07-31T08:51:00.001+08:00

What are zoos for? Humans pay the gate to watch caged and confined animals. Monkey swings back and forth on iron bars. Orangutan stares blankly though his iron cage. Eagle perched on a leafless-tree because it cannot soar up above. A tiger stares through a glass window and sees humans taunting him. Cowards. Distorted sympathy. Clueless human beings.

A captive tiger with a gaping wound on its head in Malabon Zoo, Philippines.Photo by Istara Bon Gundry, animal welfare advocate.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Adios, Corrida de Torros!

2010-07-27T21:40:00.002+08:00

Bullfighting might get banned in Catalonia this week (July 2010).

The result of the voting will be known on Wednesday. Catalonia, a wealthy northeast coastal region centered around Barcelona would become the first in mainland Spain to outlaw the tradition.

Tercio de Muerte (Death on the third phase)

Bullfighting fans and Spanish traditionalists see the act as an anti-Spanish rebuke.

Two dominant parties -- a center-right Catalan nationalist coalition called Convergence and Union, and the local branch of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialists will vote for or against the tourist-magnet activity.

Both parties are allowing their members to vote without any interference, that is, to not vote in consideration of their party affiliation, a break with tradition due to the sensitiveness of the issue.

Anti-bullfighting protest.

The first Spanish region to outlaw bullfighting was the Canary Islands, in 1991.

Josep Rull, a Convergence and Union spokesman, predicted a close vote and victory for the anti-bullfighting camp. Bullfighting would thus vanish from Catalonia starting in 2012.

Rull denied the drive to do away with bullfighting is anti-Spanish, insisting it is simply a case of a society whose values have evolved and likening Catalonia's possible move to Britain outlawing foxhunting with hounds in 2004.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Wanted: 200 ‘aspins’ for Coast Guard’s K9 unit

2010-07-24T07:39:00.000+08:00

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:25:00 07/24/2010

MANILA, Philippines—Wanted: Drug- and bomb-sniffing pooches.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is accepting canine donations for its “undermanned” K9 unit.
Dog recruits are not limited to foreign police dog breeds like German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, Bloodhounds and Beagles.

Aspins (asong Pinoy) or local breeds are also welcome, said Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant.
“As long as they meet stringent standards that are required of K9 unit recruits,” Tamayo told the Inquirer.
Of the 114 working dogs in the PCG inventory, only 72 are on “active duty,” assigned to the agency’s 29 K9 attachments nationwide.

“They’re deployed in the country’s busy ports and premier tourist destinations. They’re part of the command’s integrated maritime security system, which also includes CCTVs, X-ray and walk-through machines, vapor tracer analyzers and sea marshals,” he said.

Dog IDs, badges
Unlike many of their foreign counterparts, the PCG’s working dogs have yet to be outfitted with bullet-proof vests, if not issued official badges and IDs.

But “it doesn’t mean they are not important. In fact, we consider our K9 unit one of our assets,” Tamayo said.
He credited nine of their working dogs and their handlers for last week’s seizure of P150 million worth of cocaine in Eastern Samar.

“Our operatives have joined police teams in scouring the coastal towns in that province for a still unaccounted 1.5 tons of cocaine reportedly dumped off the coast sometime in December by an unidentified Chinese vessel,” he said.

K9 accomplishments
Other notable accomplishments of the PCG K9 included the recent confiscation of explosive devices at the Batangas City port and aboard a Ro-Ro vessel in Lucena City; assorted firearms, also in Batangas; and illegal drugs in Boracay, Aklan; and at the Eva Macapagal Terminal in Manila.
Tamayo said they “need more K9s to help secure our ports and terminals, areas that are vulnerable to the illegal traffic of drugs, as well as explosives.”

According to the PCG chief, the command needs “at least 150 explosive-detecting dogs and 50 drug-sniffing dogs.”

Tamayo said the PCG team of K9 handlers were “multiskilled ... They are not only lifesavers and search-and-rescue specialists. They are also sea marshals, environmentalists and lighthouse keepers.”
“Being well-rounded, they are able to meet our K9 mission demands with a reasonable degree of success,” he said.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Pamela Anderson Shows Body Parts

2010-07-22T23:15:00.000+08:00

Voluptuous vegetarian Pamela Anderson is proving that all animals have the same parts and encouraging people to ditch meat. In this sexy ad for PETA, the blonde bombshell shows some serious skin and looks as if she's been tagged by a butcher, making it clear that humans and animals are composed of identical parts.

Just like humans, animals are made of flesh, blood, and bone and have organs and senses. Animals also have emotions and unique personalities, feel pain, and create families and relationships with other animals, if given the chance.
Ninety-seven percent of the U.S. meat supply comes from factory-farmed animals. Animals on factory farms are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them. They are forced to live in filthy, severely crowded conditions and are often fed an unnatural diet that includes antibiotics and other drugs. Disease spreads quickly on factory farms, and animals are often denied proper veterinary care and forced to stand in their own waste. These animals' short lives come to a painful end at the slaughterhouse where cows, pigs, and chickens often have their throats cut and are dismembered while they are still conscious.

In the ad, Pamela Anderson shows off her outer—and inner—beauty to promote a vegetarian diet and point out the similarities between humans and animals. There are many cruelty-free and tasty alternatives to meat available, and going vegetarian saves the lives of approximately 100 animals a year! Check out PETA's free vegetarian/vegan starter kit, and experience the benefits of a plant-based diet yourself.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Three New Working & Herding Dog Breeds Recognized

2010-07-20T02:34:00.000+08:00

The American Kennel Club recognizes a trio of new breeds into its registry which has 164 breeds to its list. The Icelandic Sheepdog joins the Herding Group, while the Cane Corso and the Leonberger are new entrants in the Working Group.

Leonberger

Cane Corso

Icelandic-Sheepdog

Photos by: http://today.msnbc.msn.com

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

IFAW-PAWS Disaster Management Operations and Water Rescue Training

2010-07-07T22:20:00.001+08:00

Dick Green of International Fund for Animal Welfare lecturing on the de-briefing seminar.

Animal welfare advocates training on disaster management spearheaded by IFAW.

Learning to fix an inflatable rubber boat for rescuing animals in distress.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Dog Eaters

2010-07-05T22:25:00.002+08:00

Photos by Dennis Villegas, Some Rights Reserved.

___

Dennis Villegas is a college lecturer based in Manila. He dabbles in art and photography in his spare time.

Disclaimer: This is a very graphic article on dog hunting and killing in the slums of Manila. Please refrain from reading if you feel sensitive to this issue. I am a documentary photographer and writer and I write and document only what I witness.

In the Philippines, the cliché goes that when a dog bites man it is not news, but when a man bites dog, then it is news. In the poor urban slums of Manila, there are still people who eat dog meat clandestinely. No, they do not kill their pet dogs (which they treat as part of the family), but instead hunt for the askal or the asong kalye, the stray dog that nobody owns. This despite the 1998 law called the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act 8485) prohibiting the killing of dogs and eating of dog meat.*

The enactment of this law is the result of lobbying by many animal rights advocates who perceive dogs to be inherently emotional and attached to humanity. There are dog rescue shelters in the country who specialize on this advocacy. They also argue about the cruel treatment of the dogs and their gruesome slaughter by dog meat dealers. Additionally, they argue that dog meat consumption has been linked to the transmission of rabies to man, with two reported deaths in the Philippines.

Prior to this recent law against dog-eating, dog meat is consumed openly in Baguio and its surrounding mountainous regions. There are also people in Pampanga, Bulacan, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and Metro Manila who regularly eat dog meat. Back then, some restaurants offered dog meat in their regular menu, a favored piece de resistance especially among beer drinkers who consider dog meat as the tastiest meat even compared to beef or pork. Aficionados add that dog-meat has the ability to warm the body, not only because it is always cooked with lots of chopped chilies, but because it is an aphrodisiac.

But even now that the law has been passed protecting man’s best friend from becoming man’s food, there are still hundreds of dogs slaughtered for food consumption. The website dogmeattrade.com reports that some 500,000 dogs are slaughtered annually in the Philippines for human consumption. Indeed passing a law and enforcing its provisions are two different things, especially in the Philippines.

In fact, we are always treated to a spectacle in the news of police tracking down dog meat dealers on the way to the mountainous provinces. The dealers would pack the dogs inside cramped and enclosed steel cages to prevent people from seeing them and hearing their barks and moans. In the eight hours of travel that the dogs have to endure, some of them die of suffocation, heat, exhaustion, and thirst along the way, while the others that survived were in such a deplorable condition you would think they’d have been luckier if they died en route. Animal cruelty at its worst.

This goes to prove there are still many people who eat dog meat regularly. If they grew up eating dog meat, wouldn’t it be a violation of their human rights not to let them eat the meat they were accustomed to? That is just one of the controversial questions asked me by one of my dog-eating friends in Baguio. Indeed, my friend added, if dog meat is to be outlawed, wouldn’t it be logical also to prohibit the eating of pork, chicken, or beef?

I ate a dog

When I was a young boy, I was tricked into eating dog meat by a dog-eating uncle in a town fiesta in Pampanga. I was told it was beef. Up to now I still remember how delicious it was, and how tender and juicy. When the other guests began to talk on how dog meat was much tastier than beef and pork, it was only then I realized I was eating a dog. I stopped eating right away and almost puked. Up to now, writing this piece, I still feel like throwing up whenever I remember that gut-wrenching episode. I am positive that I would have never eaten the meat if I knew what it was. The only meats I eat are pork, beef or chicken. I shun other meats like horse, goat, and carabao, let alone dog. It is not because I am a sensitive person, but because I have not been reared to eat these.

Be that as it may, I would not say I wouldn’t eat them in the future. Culture changes with a force majeure. For instance, explorers trapped in the icy regions of the South and North Pole were forced to eat their sleigh dogs when the situation arose they would have starved and died otherwise. Many tribes in Siberia and Alaska also consume dog meat as emergency sustenance -- when no other food is available -- during the cold winter months.

Ronald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who first conquered Antarctica, was known to have eaten his sled dogs during his expedition to the South Pole. By eating some of the dogs, he required less human or dog food, thus lightening his load. If I would be in a similar situation as Amundsen, I would certainly eat dog meat if it were the only way to survive. But if I had another choice, I would never eat a dog. This is because my conscience cannot bear to eat the animal closest to human affection.

In truth, dog meat is considered food not only in the Philippines but in many countries around the world as well, including China, Japan, Hongkong, Korea, India, Tonga and East Timor. In the past, some peoples in France, Belgium, Germany, and Poland were known to consume dog meat.

Dog hunting in the slums

In the urban slums of Manila, many people still eat dog meat, a favorite pulutan of the istambays during their merry drinking. I chanced on a group of these dog-hunting istambay during one of my visits to the poorest slums of Tondo.

From where I stood, I smelled a strong scent of burning hair and skin, which is that of the dog they have recently killed. Fortunately, at the time, I was with a guide from the neighborhood whom the hunters knew. My guide assured them that I am not from the police, and they agreed to let me document their cooking, provided I did not photograph their faces, and that I gave them fifty pesos for a Tanduay.

The first question I asked was how the dog hunters obtain a dog. What I was told sent chills down my spine – it was like a gruesome murder plot in the making. In this part of the slums, everything that can be eaten will be eaten. Pagpag, discarded left-overs from fast food restaurants, are dug out of the piles of trash and eaten. And so it is with the askal. Some men in the Tondo slums consider it a delicacy and they spend the whole day hunting for stray dogs.

Hunting the askal

The dog hunters are usually a group of four men-- one acts as look-out; another, as baiter, a third, as executioner; and the last, as slaughterer.

But the dog cannot be butchered in the same manner as a chicken or a pig, which easily bleeds to death with a single thrust of the knife to its nape. The dog, when cornered, often fights back, biting its killers, even if its throat has been slit open. Killing a dog with a knife is thus a dangerous task to the hunters. It must be done in a more gruesome but, thankfully, instant manner.

The technique, therefore, is to lure the askal with bait, say a piece of meat tied to a long string. The dog spots the meat and proceeds to eat it, at which time one of the hunters pulls the string until the dog is trapped in a secluded place, where the executioner awaits in a corner. The method, however cruel it may be, is to kill the dog with a single blow to the head with a blunt and heavy object, such as a baseball bat or a maso (huge hammer). The executioner must exert all his strength and be precise in his blow as there is no second chance: the dog can bite back if it knew its life is in danger. It is also believed, that the more forceful the blow, the less the dog would suffer, as it will instantly die. Blood would not spill out this way (except for some from the nostrils), keeping the meat warm and in turn giving warmth to the body of the dog eaters.

Asozena

I witnessed first hand how the hunters cooked the askal. The dog is tied upside down with a wire tied to a post. A blow torch is applied to the dog’s body to burn its hair. The strong scent of the burning hair and skin pervades through the whole neighborhood so that soon everyone becomes aware that a dog is being cooked. Dog butchering and cooking are always considered a spectacle, and after a few moments come the usiseros who wand to witness how a dog becomes “azocena” (literally, dog supper). Some of the men who did not participate in the hunt would contribute a few pesos to buy spices with. This entitles them to partake of the cooked meat.
The burnt hair is then scraped until the charred body of the dog is exposed. The head is cut. The burnt skin is chopped into little strips, and marinated in vinegar, ginger, and siling labuyo. This is called kilawin, and is a favorite pulutan with Tanduay or beer. The dog is slit open from anus to esophagus to remove the internal organs. The intestines are cleaned of any remaining undigested food and are destined to become the isaw, or barbecued intestines. The blood that is still in the stomach is dripped into a glass. According to old belief, pure dog blood cures tuberculosis, and a tubercular can drink it from there. The other internal organs such as the heart, lungs and liver are chopped to little morsels and roasted over a pit coal. The “spare parts” like the paws, the tail, and the ear are also cleaned of remaining hair. These, too, will be cooked and eaten.

The dog meat is cooked in a variety of ways. In this case, the men agreed to cook kaldereta, one of the most popular dog dishes. A large cauldron was borrowed from one of the neighbors. Pooling their money, the men bought spices in the nearby sari-sari store: garlic, onions, siling labuyo, butter, ginisa mix, and tomato paste.

The meat is chopped to small morsels and placed inside a huge pot and then boiled to a certain tenderness and then set aside. In the cauldron, the crushed garlic and chopped onions are sauted in butter. The ginisa mix, siling labuyo and tomato paste follow. Finally, the tenderized meat, including head, feet, ears, paws and tail, are added and simmered.

When the cooking is done, the dog hunters serve the kaldereta on a small table, bring out the Tanduay, and sit in a circle to begin their merry drinking and eating. It is for them a fine way to warm up, relax, and enjoy after a tiring day of hunting and killing.

* The law excludes killing of dogs for the religious rituals of the mountainous tribes in the Cordillera.

Photos by Dennis Villegas, Some Rights Reserved.

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

One More Time For "Brave Heart!"

2010-07-05T16:16:00.000+08:00

Get your animal welfare news fix here.Dog meat trade must end.Dog rescue is a must.Animal cruelty is wicked.

Dog Rescue Operation Saved Nine Pets.

2010-07-01T22:15:00.002+08:00

Two dog traders were charged with violation of the animal welfare and anti-rabies laws last June 25, 2010 in the southern part of the Philippines. The dog rescue operation by the Philippine National Police and Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), an animal welfare group focused in dog rescue and eradicating the dog meat trade, recovered nine dogs bound to be slaughtered for the dog meat trade. The animals rescued are now in the dog shelter of the AKF.

Get your animal welfare news fix here. Dog meat trade must end. Dog rescue is a must. Animal cruelty is wicked.

AIDFI's Ram Pump ProgramFinalists in the BBC World Challenge 2010.

2010-06-30T08:04:00.015+08:00

AIDFI with its ram pump program, has been selected as one of the 12 finalists in the BBC World Challenge 2010.

The finalists of the World Challenge will be profiled on BBC World News in six 30 minute programmes and included in six feature pieces in Newsweek magazine.

You can vote for the ram pump project of AIDFI on www.theworldchallenge.co.uk

Voting will open on the 27th of September 2010 and will close at midnight (GMT) on the 12th of Novermber 2010.

Make AIDFI a winner and help AIDFI spread the ram pump over the world.

Dog Rescue Group Holds Campaign In Dog Meat Eating City.

2010-06-25T08:03:00.001+08:00

ANIMAL KINGDOM FOUNDATION, an affiliate of the International Wildlife Coalition Trust-UK held a press conference and street campaign in the known main market of dog meat in the Philippines. The conference was attended by media representatives composed of the tri-media group. A truck with a huge banner saying " Don't Eat Dogs, You will be Prosecuted!" was paraded in the major roads of Baguio City and parked at the biggest dog meat serving restaurant, Comiles, in the city. AKF protested the practice of dog meat eating and are fully dedicated to dog rescue while operating a dog shelter in the country. Animal cruelty or animal welfare is everybody's concern, says AKF.

Cat Rescue

2010-06-21T23:24:00.000+08:00

Cat rescues cat hit by a car. The male cat was trying to revive the other cat that was hit by a car. A veterinarian tried to do a cat rescue but the cat died after a few minutes in his veterinary clinic.

Get your animal welfare news fix here. Dog meat trade must end. Dog rescue is a must. Animal cruelty is wicked.

Dog Rescue In Korea.

2010-06-20T17:40:00.000+08:00

Korean dogs rescued from dog meat trade by CARE

May 7, 12:38 AMPet Rescue ExaminerCheryl Hanna

CARE, Coexistence for Animal Rights on Earth, organized in 2002 to solve "animal related issues in Korea" and raise awareness of the illegal dog meat trade rescued dogs from a remote dog meat farm in Gyeonggi Province earlier today.

Acting on a report, CARE, now partnered with IDA, In Defense of Animals refused to leave the farm when volunteers observed the egregious conditions where the dogs were caged. The animals lived in filth and excrement that had never been cleaned. Some dogs were injured, but volunteers were able to rescue all of the dogs who were treated and bathed. The dogs will be available for adoption.

(Read full article)

(Photo by IDAUSA)

Dog rescue in Korea is a welcome news for animal welfare advocates, especially, for those who lobby against the illegal dog meat trade. Most dog rescue groups in Asia operate their own dog rescue shelter. (Blogger)

DOG EATERS

2010-06-19T13:58:00.004+08:00

Dennis Villegas
Reportage on people, places, events, and chismis

DOG EATERS

Photos by Dennis Villegas, Some Rights Reserved.

___

Dennis Villegas is a college lecturer based in Manila. He dabbles in art and photography in his spare time.

Disclaimer: This is a very graphic article on dog hunting and killing in the slums of Manila. Please refrain from reading if you feel sensitive to this issue. I am a documentary photographer and writer and I write and document only what I witness.

In the Philippines, the cliché goes that when a dog bites man it is not news, but when a man bites dog, then it is news. In the poor urban slums of Manila, there are still people who eat dog meat clandestinely. No, they do not kill their pet dogs (which they treat as part of the family), but instead hunt for the askal or the asong kalye, the stray dog that nobody owns. This despite the 1998 law called the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act 8485) prohibiting the killing of dogs and eating of dog meat.*

The enactment of this law is the result of lobbying by many animal rights advocates who perceive dogs to be inherently emotional and attached to humanity. There are dog rescue shelters in the country who specialize on this advocacy. They also argue about the cruel treatment of the dogs and their gruesome slaughter by dog meat dealers. Additionally, they argue that dog meat consumption has been linked to the transmission of rabies to man, with two reported deaths in the Philippines.

Prior to this recent law against dog-eating, dog meat is consumed openly in Baguio and its surrounding mountainous regions. There are also people in Pampanga, Bulacan, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and Metro Manila who regularly eat dog meat. Back then, some restaurants offered dog meat in their regular menu, a favored piece de resistance especially among beer drinkers who consider dog meat as the tastiest meat even compared to beef or pork. Aficionados add that dog-meat has the ability to warm the body, not only because it is always cooked with lots of chopped chilies, but because it is an aphrodisiac.
But even now that the law has been passed protecting man’s best friend from becoming man’s food, there are still hundreds of dogs slaughtered for food consumption. The website dogmeattrade.com reports that some 500,000 dogs are slaughtered annually in the Philippines for human consumption. Indeed passing a law and enforcing its provisions are two different things, especially in the Philippines.

In fact, we are always treated to a spectacle in the news of police tracking down dog meat dealers on the way to the mountainous provinces. The dealers would pack the dogs inside cramped and enclosed steel cages to prevent people from seeing them and hearing their barks and moans. In the eight hours of travel that the dogs have to endure, some of them die of suffocation, heat, exhaustion, and thirst along the way, while the others that survived were in such a deplorable condition you would think they’d have been luckier if they died en route. Animal cruelty at its worst.

This goes to prove there are still many people who eat dog meat regularly. If they grew up eating dog meat, wouldn’t it be a violation of their human rights not to let them eat the meat they were accustomed to? That is just one of the controversial questions asked me by one of my dog-eating friends in Baguio. Indeed, my friend added, if dog meat is to be outlawed, wouldn’t it be logical also to prohibit the eating of pork, chicken, or beef?

I ate a dog
When I was a young boy, I was tricked into eating dog meat by a dog-eating uncle in a town fiesta in Pampanga. I was told it was beef. Up to now I still remember how delicious it was, and how tender and juicy. When the other guests began to talk on how dog meat was much tastier than beef and pork, it was only then I realized I was eating a dog. I stopped eating right away and almost puked. Up to now, writing this piece, I still feel like throwing up whenever I remember that gut-wrenching episode. I am positive that I would have never eaten the meat if I knew what it was. The only meats I eat are pork, beef or chicken. I shun other meats like horse, goat, and carabao, let alone dog. It is not because I am a sensitive person, but because I have not been reared to eat these.

Be that as it may, I would not say I wouldn’t eat them in the future. Culture changes with a force majeure. For instance, explorers trapped in the icy regions of the South and North Pole were forced to eat their sleigh dogs when the situation arose they would have starved and died otherwise. Many tribes in Siberia and Alaska also consume dog meat as emergency sustenance -- when no other food is available -- during the cold winter months.

Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who first conquered Antarctica, was known to have eaten his sled dogs during his expedition to the South Pole. By eating some of the dogs, he required less human or dog food, thus lightening his load. If I would be in a similar situation as Amundsen, I would certainly eat dog meat if it were the only way to survive. But if I had another choice, I would never eat a dog. This is because my conscience cannot bear to eat the animal closest to human affection.
In truth, dog meat is considered food not only in the Philippines but in many countries around the world as well, including China, Japan, Hongkong, Korea, India, Tonga and East Timor. In the past, some peoples in France, Belgium, Germany, and Poland were known to consume dog meat.

Dog hunting in the slums
In the urban slums of Manila, many people still eat dog meat, a favorite pulutan of the istambays during their merry drinking. I chanced on a group of these dog-hunting istambay during one of my visits to the poorest slums of Tondo.

From where I stood, I smelled a strong scent of burning hair and skin, which is that of the dog they have recently killed. Fortunately, at the time, I was with a guide from the neighborhood whom the hunters knew. My guide assured them that I am not from the police, and they agreed to let me document their cooking, provided I did not photograph their faces, and that I gave them fifty pesos for a Tanduay.
The first question I asked was how the dog hunters obtain a dog. What I was told sent chills down my spine – it was like a gruesome murder plot in the making. In this part of the slums, everything that can be eaten will be eaten. Pagpag, discarded left-overs from fast food restaurants, are dug out of the piles of trash and eaten. And so it is with the askal. Some men in the Tondo slums consider it a delicacy and they spend the whole day hunting for stray dogs.

Hunting the askal
The dog hunters are usually a group of four men-- one acts as look-out; another, as baiter, a third, as executioner; and the last, as slaughterer.

But the dog cannot be butchered in the same manner as a chicken or a pig, which easily bleeds to death with a single thrust of the knife to its nape. The dog, when cornered, often fights back, biting its killers, even if its throat has been slit open. Killing a dog with a knife is thus a dangerous task to the hunters. It must be done in a more gruesome but, thankfully, instant manner.

The technique, therefore, is to lure the askal with bait, say a piece of meat tied to a long string. The dog spots the meat and proceeds to eat it, at which time one of the hunters pulls the string until the dog is trapped in a secluded place, where the executioner awaits in a corner. The method, however cruel it may be, is to kill the dog with a single blow to the head with a blunt and heavy object, such as a baseball bat or a maso (huge hammer). The executioner must exert all his strength and be precise in his blow as there is no second chance: the dog can bite back if it knew its life is in danger. It is also believed, that the more forceful the blow, the less the dog would suffer, as it will instantly die. Blood would not spill out this way (except for some from the nostrils), keeping the meat warm and in turn giving warmth to the body of the dog eaters.

Asozena
I witnessed first hand how the hunters cooked the askal. The dog is tied upside down with a wire tied to a post. A blow torch is applied to the dog’s body to burn its hair. The strong scent of the burning hair and skin pervades through the whole neighborhood so that soon everyone becomes aware that a dog is being cooked. Dog butchering and cooking are always considered a spectacle, and after a few moments come the usiseros who wand to witness how a dog becomes “azocena” (literally, dog supper). Some of the men who did not participate in the hunt would contribute a few pesos to buy spices with. This entitles them to partake of the cooked meat.

The burnt hair is then scraped until the charred body of the dog is exposed. The head is cut. The burnt skin is chopped into little strips, and marinated in vinegar, ginger, and siling labuyo. This is called kilawin, and is a favorite pulutan with Tanduay or beer. The dog is slit open from anus to esophagus to remove the internal organs. The intestines are cleaned of any remaining undigested food and are destined to become the isaw, or barbecued intestines. The blood that is still in the stomach is dripped into a glass. According to old belief, pure dog blood cures tuberculosis, and a tubercular can drink it from there. The other internal organs such as the heart, lungs and liver are chopped to little morsels and roasted over a pit coal. The “spare parts” like the paws, the tail, and the ear are also cleaned of remaining hair. These, too, will be cooked and eaten.
The dog meat is cooked in a variety of ways. In this case, the men agreed to cook kaldereta, one of the most popular dog dishes. A large cauldron was borrowed from one of the neighbors. Pooling their money, the men bought spices in the nearby sari-sari store: garlic, onions, siling labuyo, butter, ginisa mix, and tomato paste.

* The law excludes killing of dogs for the religious rituals of the mountainous tribes in the Cordillera.

Photos by Dennis Villegas, Some Rights Reserved.

KEVIN COSTNER, PROTECTING THE SHORE.

2010-06-16T00:08:00.003+08:00

Rescuing animals and protecting wildlife.

(Video by CNN)

Transcript: Kevin Costner Interviewed by Sam Champion For "Good Morning America" About Cleaning Up The Oil Spill.

...

CHAMPION: And is this the answer? Or is this an answer?

COSTNER: This is an answer. This is a … part of this … giant puzzle. But this is almost your-- your most basic s … I made an analogy in Congress where I said, "Let me paint a picture." Because I could-- I could look at everybody and I was thinkin', "I'm not gonna win them over with the … . I just knew it. And I said, "Imagine if you had a boat, okay? A really big boat. A yacht kind of boat. A boat that everybody out there having a beer right now goes, 'I wish I had one.'

"And I'm talkin' about a boat that has all the gadgets. Has … an extra fishing boat on top. The boat's so big it can carry a fishing boat. (LAUGH) Where we just stare at it in awe, right? Has a helicopter pad and a helicopter. Has the jet skis. Has everything that you'd want. All the gadgets. And now there's an explosion and this boat's going down. And it's going to sink below the water. And so you take a look at it and you realize that your helicopter sunk. And your fishing boat sunk. And your water skis, your jet skis, gone.

"And now you're fighting for life and limb and you're trying to save your wife and your children. And the only thing that's going to keep them afloat is that ugly little orange life preserver that you have hidden out of view, that you have stowed somewhere else. And if you get your hands on that, you can save your wife and you can save your kids. And that's what this machine represents.

"It represents -- an opportunity to actually be proactive. It represents maybe an opportunity for an industry to go back to work. If we can show that there's a responsible answer to an inevitable problem. This little life preserver, this machine, this-- (LAUGH) I call it a real machine. Might as well say it's $20 million. (LAUGH) This …this could be a pivot point where it looks -- that there's a responsible answer. Because there is no other responsible answer to oil that spills. And if there is a responsible answer, I think people can go back to work."

(Photo by CNN)

TIGERS KILL AND INJURED HUMANS AT A ZOO IN CHINA.

2010-06-15T09:28:00.001+08:00

XI'AN - A pack of tigers mauled a man to death and injured his son at a zoo in northwest China's Shaanxi Province Sunday, a zoo official said Monday.

Five tigers attacked the two at the Xi'an Qinling Wildlife Park in provincial capital Xi'an at around 1:20 pm Sunday, said zoo official Jiao Congling.

The father, 45, was taking his son, 17, for an outing after the son recently sat the national college entrance exam.

Yangyang, one of the tigers that killed a man and injured his son Sunday, is seen in an enclosure at the zoo of the Xi'an Qinling Wildlife Park in Xi'an, Shaanxi province on June 13. [Photo/hsw.cn]

The man died at the scene after being bitten on the head and neck. The son was slightly injured.

"The gate to the tigers' zone was open, so we walked in. Then the tigers attacked us," the son, surnamed Zhang, said.

However, Jiao said warning signs are posted telling visitors not to enter the tigers' zone.

Police have detained the zoo's manager pending an investigation.

Animal rescue shelters advocate the banishment of zoos.

Tiger Bone Wine, What's Next?

2010-06-14T07:05:00.001+08:00

Chinese animal rights groups recently launched an online campaign pushing for more protection of wild animals.

Despite the concern, consumers are still eager to get their hands on the illegal tonic wine.

"Tiger bone tonic wine will surely be popular this year," said a seller from the Beijing Xinghuo Company.

"Nothing could be better than sending it to your relatives or leaders during the Year of the Tiger, both for good wishes and to keep them healthy."

The company sells a wide range of wines, including a tiger bone tonic wine.

A 500 ml bottle of tiger bone wine, made in Heilongjiang province, sells for 1,380 yuan.

However, a bottle of tiger bone wine, said to be from Tongrentang, the place that supplied medicine to the royal pharmacy during the Qing Dynasty for 188 years, is even more expensive. Such wine, made in 1990s, sells for around 25,000 yuan.

The wine, which is believed to have medicinal properties, should improve with age, so the older the bottle, the higher the price. Those produced in the 1980s can sell for 60,000 yuan for 323 ml.

"Real tiger bone tonic wine is very popular in the market now," said Sjkexiao, a 20-year old man who was looking to sell two bottles online that he claimed was tiger bone wine made in Tongrentang in 1984.

He said tiger bone tonic wine had been increasing in price in recent years.

Tigers have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Tiger bone tonic wine is used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism.

China joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1981. It imposed a ban on the harvesting of tiger bones and outlawed all trade in tiger body parts in 1993.

As a result, tiger bone remedies were removed from TCM dictionaries.

"Medicines with parts from rare animals are not allowed to be sold now," said a staff member, surnamed Zhang, at a Cachet pharmacy.

She suggested another medicinal wine, named Hongmao Medical Wine, that was priced at 250 yuan and which claimed to contain leopard bones.

"Money cannot buy a genuine bottle of tiger bone wine because of its scarcity," she said. "You can never find such medicine in the stores now. Wine containing real tiger bones is really more effective than others."

However, doctors were quick to question the medicinal value of tiger bone tonic.

"It is the same as other medicinal wines," said Yue Debo, a doctor with more than 20 years' experience in the department of orthopedics at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. "It doesn't have any miraculous effect."

Animal welfare advocates continue to lobby for pertinent animal welfare laws and animal rescue shelter operators denounces existence of zoos worldwide.

(Source: China Daily)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/business/2010-03/01/c_13192700_2.htm

Time For A Break. Enjoy, Folks!

2010-06-13T18:32:00.000+08:00

20 Plus Puppies Rescued From Traders!

2010-06-13T09:02:00.002+08:00

The puppies were being sold in a known pet-market within Metro Manila by traders from the south of the National Capital Region.

Traders violated the Republic Act 9482 "Anti Rabies Act of 2007" with a fine of Php5000/dog. The rescued dogs were approximately 20 plus puppies and were being sold for Php500. They are mostly mixed-breed.

Animal welfare advocates, especially, dog rescue groups denounce the illegal trade.

The puppies are now in the care of Pasay City veterinary office.

Dog rescue shelters have made known their intentions to adopt the dogs.

"The Animals, They Look So Sad".

2010-06-09T20:08:00.000+08:00

Ugliest Dog In The World Dead At 17.

2010-06-06T06:34:00.001+08:00

Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON—Canine lovers were in mourning Thursday at the news that a bug-eyed Chinese crested hairless pooch, who was officially crowned the "World's Ugliest Dog," has died at age 17.

The lovable Miss Ellie, whose lopsided tongue always stuck out of the side of her mouth, died on Tuesday in her Tennessee home, the local Mountain Press daily newspaper said.

Rescued by owner Dawn Goehring when she was seven years old, Miss Ellie, who drew smiles with the shock of blonde hair above her eyes, had helped raise over 100,000 dollars for the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley.

Despite being blind in her final years, she won Animal Planet's "World's Ugliest Dog" award last year.

She also starred in Animal Planet's "Dog 101" and was featured in numerous commercials and television programs. Miss Ellie had been set to travel to California this month to defend her title.

She was part of a troupe of dogs that Goehring trained and which performed regularly at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge.

Goehring said she is now planning on raising money to open a new animal shelter. "I am going to make that my driven goal to do in her honor," she told the Mountain Press.

Boxing Writers Association of America 2010 Awards [www.toprank.com]

2010-06-05T19:44:00.002+08:00

A Personal Message From Pierce Brosnan

2010-06-05T07:33:00.005+08:00

SPEAK OUT

Ivories and Pangolins Trade Exposed.

2010-06-03T06:21:00.000+08:00

Agence France-Presse

Printed in the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HANOI, Vietnam—Vietnamese police have seized about 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of ivory near the border with China, a newspaper reported on Sunday. Traffic police made the discovery after stopping a car early Friday morning, said Tuoi Tre newspaper, which did not say if any arrests were made.

The police declined to comment when contacted by AFP. State-linked media reported last year that Vietnamese police had seized hundreds of kilograms of ivory. Much of it was tusks illegally imported from Kenya. There is a booming black market in African ivory linked to Asian crime syndicates, experts and delegates said last week at a meeting in Doha of the UN-backed Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). Communist Vietnam banned the ivory trade in 1992 but shops can still sell stocks dating from before the ban. This allows some to restock illegally with recently-produced items, wildlife activists have said.

Separately, security staff at southern Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat airport on Saturday confiscated 33 live pangolins, Tuoi Tre reported. The pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, had been sold to customers in the country's north at a price of one million dong (53 dollars) per kilogram, Tuoi Tre reported. Demand for pangolin meat, with its supposedly medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities, is widespread in China and Vietnam.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list pangolins as endangered.

Island Ferries Used To Ship Wildlifes

2010-06-01T07:55:00.001+08:00

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The illegal trade in wild animals smuggled into the country through the southern backdoor thrives unhampered along the route of Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) ferries, officials said.

Theresa Mundita Lim, director of Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), said on Tuesday that wild fauna were smuggled from Indonesia and Malaysia through Mindanao, and then transported to Manila on ships. “It passes through the route of Ro-Ro ships,” she said at a roundtable discussion of women leaders on biodiversity conservation at the Pan Pacific hotel in Manila.

Cockatoo, orangutan

In an interview Wednesday, Lim said exotic birds from Indonesia, like the black cockatoo and lory, and orangutans from Malaysia were often smuggled by ship to the cities of General Santos and Davao in Mindanao. The contraband are then concealed inside private vans which are loaded on Ro-Ro ferries plying the waters from Mindanao to Samar, Albay, Sorsogon or Manila, she said.

Cartimar

They either end up in public markets, such as those in Cartimar in Pasay City or Arranque in Manila, or are flown to another country like Thailand, Lim said. “Manila is either the final destination or a transshipment point,” she said by phone. “There appears to be a syndicate behind this. But this needs further investigation.” Without tips from “vigilant individuals,” it would be tough for the PAWB to intercept the smuggling of wild animals. “We’ve asked the Coast Guard to tip us off. But there has to be a better mechanism than invading the privacy of an individual who takes the Ro-Ro,” Lim said.

The illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia ranges from $8 billion to $10 billion a year, according to Lim.

Third-largest industry

“In the Philippines, illegal wildlife trade is estimated at P4 million to P6 million a year,” she said, referring to the value of illegally traded fauna seized by the government.

Worldwide, illegal wildlife trade is recognized as the third-largest industry after drugs and sex, running to billions of dollars every year. It’s the single biggest cause of wildlife decline, according to Lim. The Philippines is rich in biodiversity, but is also one of the 25 “hot spots” in biodiversity because a large number of its species are endangered, she said.

Most of the illegally traded wildlife are endangered species. “The endangered species are the ones being in demand, especially the birds. The next would be the critically endangered species, and that of course leads to further decline of species, and eventually to extinction if we don’t abate illegal wildlife trade,” she said.

Half die in transit

Lim said that at least half of illegally collected wildlife die while being transported to the market. “As soon as they arrive in our rescue centers at the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), they are already dying, or almost dead,” she said. She also said that 90 percent of illegally collected wildlife die within two years of captivity. “So if you buy illegally traded wildlife don’t expect these to last long. Usually they don’t survive long in captivity,” she said.

Diseases

Apart from its economic impact, illegal wildlife poaching could introduce pests and diseases to the people and animals. “Some of the birds are coming from Indonesia, which is an avian influenza-positive country. So there’s also a risk of transmitting avian influenza into the Philippines if the wildlife trade goes on through the backdoor,” Lim said.

Civet cats (Photo above) from China are known carriers of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus, while primates can carry the Ebola virus, she said.

Ten Attentions To Give To Your Dog

2010-05-29T08:29:00.002+08:00

(Article Niche)

1. External identification - Place a collar or an ID tag on the dog with the address, the name and telephone number. You can also try microchip identification. This is usually done by a veterinarian.

2. Neuter or spay - This routine surgery has beneficial effects on your dog's health. It may also cause to calm its rowdy character.

3. Leash - When you’re off your property, keep the dog on a leash.

4. Fencing - Erect a fence around the doghouse, especially if you have a big dog.

5. Veterinary care - Take the dog to the vet on regular intervals for check-ups. If you do not have a vet for the dog, talk to someone at the animal shelter.

6. Vaccination - Vaccinate your dog against various diseases, including rabies. The local pet society can help you with this step.

7. Diet - Make sure the dog has a good diet with plenty of nutritional elements. Water must also be present at all times. If the dog is older, then the diet should be adjusted to his needs. Talk to the vet about a dog’s nutrition.

8. Training - Untrained dogs bring a lot of complications, for themselves and also for their owners. Basic commands gives you control over your pet and it enhances your relationship with him/her.

9. Walking - Exercise your dog. This helps him stay healthy and happy. You will allow the dog to stay in shape and also to exercise its instincts. You can do this by playing various games with your dog.

10. Be patient and observant - If your dog is sometimes snappy when you touch his ears, he may have an ear infection. So treat all the symptoms with patience and care for your pet as much as you can.

By CristianStan

More Than A Thousand Fresh Water Turtles Saved!

2010-05-28T07:57:00.000+08:00

By Redempto Anda
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:46:00 05/27/2010

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Philippines—Government authorities confiscated on Thursday a large haul of the rare and critically endangered Philippine forest turtle awaiting shipment to the lucrative illegal wildlife trade.

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) and agents of the Criminal Investigation Division Group (CIDG) raided an abandoned storage area in a farm in the northern municipality of San Vicente, in the village of Binga, that yielded 1,200 freshwater turtles, highly sought in the black market.

Shutter Stock Photo

The PCSDS said the particular species of this turtle, Heosemys leytensis, could be found only in Palawan and has been listed among the world's most critically endangered freshwater turtle species.

Studies earlier conducted by Palawan-based conservation groups such as Conservation International and Katala Foundation pointed out that they have been sold to the Chinese black market for prices ranging from $50 to $70 per mature individual.

"Unfortunately we were not able to apprehend the people (behind the attempted smuggling) as the perpetrators were apparently alerted on the planned raid," PCSDS lawyer Adel Villena told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The police, led by CIDG investigator Antonio Magbanua, however identified a certain Antonio Yu, a Chinese businessman based in Puerto Princesa City, as the owner of the place where the turtles were reportedly found.

Police informants said some of the turtles had been hidden in the Yu property for over a month awaiting shipment to Manila in bulk. Villena said they believed the perpetrators had somehow been tipped of the impending police raid Thursday morning and were able to move some of the priced animals to other locations.

Things To Consider When Adopting A Dog

2010-05-27T06:40:00.001+08:00

When looking for canine companionship, people often opt for a puppy because, well, they're so darn cute. But many also believe adult dogs who've been abandoned or surrendered to shelters are somehow too damaged to make good family pets.

Nonsense. The shelters are bursting with perfectly good dogs who need a little of your tender loving care to make them beloved members of your family--if only people would give them a chance.

Myth: You won't bond as well if you haven't raised the dog yourself.

Reality: Not so. Any age dog can grow very attached to his person, often very quickly. What's more, you'll know just how affectionate your adult dog is when you adopt him, whereas an affectionate puppy may turn into an aloof adult.

Myth: Adult dogs up for adoption must have problems.

By Mike Luckovich via Sense and Nonsense.

Reality: Dogs are abandoned for all sorts of reasons and most of the time it has nothing to do with the dog. The number one reason given for surrendering a dog is "moving." Another is "no time." While this means many shelter dogs arrive without the training they should have gotten, most problems are treatable. The ones with the most serious problems generally aren't offered for adoption.

Myth: If I get an adult dog, I can only get a mutt.

Reality: In fact, twenty-five percent of shelter dogs are purebreds, and many breed rescue groups have purebreds looking for homes. If your heart is set on a particular breed, chances are good you can find an adult dog. But--we have to ask--why wouldn't you want a mutt?

Still wondering?

If you're still trying to decide whether to adopt an adult dog, consider the advantage of knowing what you're getting. With an adult you generally know if he's good with kids, or makes a good running companion, or isn't too barky. Puppiness is adorable, to be sure, but it often masks a dog's true personality.

Original article from DOGTIME

Groom Your Dog and Give to Animal Welfare!

2010-05-25T09:11:00.000+08:00

In cooperation with Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), Hobbes & Landes will donate the proceeds of this activity. It’s really quite simple. Have your pet dogs groomed with them on Sunday, May 30 and you will also stand to help AKF’s cause at the same time. What’s more, you can get a photo session with your pooches and a lootbag to boot. That would be such cool souvenirs, right?

If you’re interested, contact Hobbes & Landes Bonifacio High Street at (02) 856-0935/36 to pre-register and reserve a slot.

You’ll be glad you did!

Reprinted from:

NORMAN"S BLOG

BBC Witnesses Rescue of Slaughter-Bound Dogs!

2010-05-24T00:18:00.001+08:00

Vulnerable Status: Asian Wild Dog

2010-05-21T21:31:00.000+08:00

They are usually rusty red in colour with a thick bushy coat. Their bushy tail is almost always black. They average around 90 cms in length, with a tail of 40 to 45 cms. They stand around 50 cms tall, weighing around 15 to 20 kilograms. The females are much smaller than the males, weighing in at around 10 to 13 kilograms.

The Dhole is a pack animal, thus living in packs of about 8 or 9 dholes. Packs of up to 30 have been reported. They have a varied diet and will feed on insects, lizards, berries, rodents, hares, and many other food sources. A number of dhole will often hunt and bring down larger animals such as a deer.

The Dhole mates between Sept to Feb in Northern India, and shorter periods in warmer climates, around Sept to December. The gestation period is 60 to 62 days before 5 or 6 pups are born. The litter can range in size from anywhere between 2 to 9.

Dholes do not attack humans, in fact if they spot a human they will run the other way.

The Dhole is currently (2003) listed as a vulnerable species. It is known as the Dhole, Asian Wild Dog or the Red Dog. It was first discovered in 1811 by Amur. It inhabits Pamirs, Tien Shan, Altai, Sayan, Amur, India, China, Malaya, Sumatra, and Borneo.

(From: http://www.indonesianfauna.com/)

Discovering More Of Your Dogs!

2010-05-18T18:11:00.004+08:00

Article from: www.buzzle.com

Any kind of a dog makes good pet. Their loyalty is unquestioned and proven. Here a few interesting facts about our best friends:

Dogs were domesticated about 12,000 years ago.

Their lifespan is between 8 to 15 years.

A dog curling up to sleep is cold. Especially if its tail is covering its nose.

Their sweat glands are located between their paw pads.

During the ancient Roman times, mastiffs wear armors and follow the mounted knights!

The first dog show was in Britain in the year 1859.

The Chihuahua is the known smallest dog.

A dog has 321 bones.

Dogs are direct descendants of the wolves.

A special layer behind their retinas makes the dog see better at nighttime.

A 1 year old dog has the maturity of a 15 year old human-being.

Dogs have a third eyelid. It is located inside the first two eyelid. The third eyelid or the haw, helps to protect the eye from the dust and the dirt.s. o

The Basenji is a dog that never barks

Dogs can register the sounds differently from humans, which is around 35,000 vibrations within a second. Humans, on the other hand can hear 20,000 vibrations.

The St. Bernard is considered to be the heaviest of all dogs.

The Saluki is the oldest known breed of dog

Dalmatian puppies are born without any spots on their body!

An adult dog always has 42 teeth.

A dog’s nose prints are as unique as a human’s fingerprint? These can also act as a substantial proof for identification.

You must have noted that puppies are born without teeth. It is only when they are around 3-4 weeks old, it can eat food due to the presence of 28 teeth in total!

Laika was the first dog to become the first space astronaut. Unfortunately, this dog did not survive the stress caused by the trip and died a few hours after launch.

A dog can take around ten to thirty breaths in a minute.

Pugs have been given their name due to their resemblance to a pug monkey

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell. They can even distinguish different ingredients.

Obesity is not the only problem faced by humans, today, dogs also face this health problem.

On an average, at least 70% people all over the world always sign their dog’s name on a greeting card along with the rest of the family names.

Author: Kashmira Lad

A genteel champion against a gruesome trade

2010-05-16T19:17:00.004+08:00

By Alya B. Honasan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DateFirst Posted 22:05:00 05/16/2010

This sugar baron has found a pet cause in the plight of dogs destined for the dinner table

IT’S LIKE ENTERING THE country home of an English gentleman. The library is full of books, stately furniture and artworks, most of them depicting animals. The biggest giveaway is a large close-up photograph of Baby, the 13-year-old miniature dachshund who is the princess of the house and the apple of the eye of Don Antonio Roxas, the gentleman who holds court here.

And indeed, Baby is most at home on Don Antonio’s lap, on a warm wool blanket, and is constantly referred to as his “sweetheart” and “darling.”

“I’m leaving again on Monday, and, of course, she’s coming with me,” says Roxas.

Although illness has limited mobility for both master and animal—Roxas lives with polio, while Baby has a problem with her hind leg—the pair is out of the country half of the year, spending time in Madrid, where Roxas has a home, as well as London and Paris.

“She spends so much time in planes, she should be given mileage,” he says of his adored pet with a laugh. “When we check into our favorite hotel in Paris, they ask about her first before they ask about me.”

Has he ever considered getting a younger sibling for Baby, whom he acquired from a kennel in Oxford, England?

“No, because I don’t like to treat two animals differently,” he says. “And Baby already sleeps in my bed, so if I get another dog to squeeze into my bed, I might have to move to the Peninsula!”

The world of Don Antonio Jose Mendezona Roxas—patriarch of the Roxas clan, Chairman of the Board of Roxas and Company, Inc. (formerly the Central Azucarera de Don Pedro Group), which has vast interests in real estate and sugar, and a known philanthropist—is very different from the world of the creatures he has chosen to help.

As one of the country’s wealthiest men, Roxas admits he gets solicitations “every day” from every kind of group, including nuns and priests from orders he has never even heard of.

For the last few years, however, a pet cause has been the plight of native Filipino dogs— specifically, dogs that are brutally killed for the illegal dog meat trade in the Philippines.

The dogs he has helped saved from the literal jaws of death have been through horrors he would never imagine Baby going through. They are caught and tied, their front legs broken and bound behind them, their snouts stuffed into tin cans. If they don’t die of suffocation, dehydration or heatstroke on the hours-long trip to dog-eating markets everywhere, they are strangled or beaten to death upon arrival, skinned, chopped up and delivered to dog meat-serving restaurants to be eaten.

Main mission

Roxas is a staunch supporter of the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), the animal welfare organization established in 1998 as the Philippine affiliate of the United Kingdom-based International Wildlife Coalition Trust. Although the organization runs an adoption program, offers neutering and veterinary services to indigent dog owners, and is a training ground for volunteer veterinary students, its main mission is to stop the dog meat trade in the Philippines, now officially illegal with the passage of RA 8485, the Animal Welfare Law, in 1998.

The law has made it unlawful to torture, neglect or maltreat animals and deprive them of adequate care, or to engage in dog or horse fights.

This rather ambivalent piece of legislation got more specific teeth, however, with RA 9482, the Anti-Rabies Law of 2007, where, according to Section 7, it is the express responsibility of the local government unit to prohibit the trade of dog meat.

“It is a serious problem not only because of the cruelty involved, but also because it is a growing illegal industry,” says AKF country president Suzanne Llanera.

“It is estimated that around 290,000 dogs are being killed for pulutan in the Philippines every year. That’s approximately P174 million a year for those involved in the dog meat trade. In Baguio City and La Trinidad (Benguet) alone, there are around 60 restaurants, eateries and canteens serving dog meat. And to think that, in most parts of the world, the dog, regardless of breed, is considered man’s best friend. There are no words to describe how these dogs are being treated and handled.”

Since its establishment in the Philippines by its founder, Englishman Charles Wartenberg, AKF has worked closely with the PNP to gather information and participate in raids. With their help, more than 80 people have been arrested and charged, and over 30 restaurants and slaughterhouses closed.

AKF also maintains a 2.5-ha mango orchard it has leased in Bgy. Cubcub, Capas, Tarlac, as an Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, with complete veterinary facilities, a full-time staff and some 30 holding pens for almost 400 dogs, most of them rescued from slaughter.

It was the tiny pictures of the shelter on a bookmark, sent to Roxas after he made his first donation, that piqued this man’s interest.

“I called them,” he clarifies. “I read something about the AKF in the papers, and I sent them some money.”

Then, last Jan. 20, Roxas asked to visit the shelter.

“I went around the house, saw the dogs behind the wire fence, and I was impressed,” he says. “I believe in the work, and I believe in what they are doing to prevent all these horrible things from happening.”

“He came on his own, with a driver and an aide,” recalls AKF corporate secretary and fundraising officer Greg Quimpo. “He was like a curious kid inside the shelter’s main office, asking questions about the dog meat trade. He was very composed, but his intensity is undeniable. He’s for real.”

“His support is important to us because he can be an example to all Filipinos, rich or poor, to help these dogs, regardless of their breed,” says Llanera.

Animal lover

By his own admission, Roxas grew up an animal lover, here and when he was schooling abroad, later working for a bank and an oil company in London before coming home to take over the family business.

“We had dogs, horses. I have a soft spot for animals, particularly dogs. Dogs are so loyal; you can relate to them, and they can relate to you. Besides,” he says with a smile, “I know that animals are much better than people. How many people can you trust? And even the ones you trust can turn on you.”

He is certain even cows and pigs know when they’re being led to the slaughter.

“We’re the biggest murderers, I tell you. In the long term, everyone should really turn vegetarian. But I’m still a big sinner, I’ll admit. That’s why it’s going to be a tall order.”

Today, Roxas has another role: He calls himself an “extractor,” twisting the arms of nephews, cousins or friends to contribute, and waving AKF postcards with grim pictures in the faces of well-dressed ladies—something he seems to take some delight in.

“It’s really like extracting a molar,” he says, laughing. “It hurts, and you tell them, ‘open your mouth!’ But really, you want to tell some of these women to please stop buying all that jewelry, or just hand over one of those diamonds so we can give it to the dogs. It looks horrible on you, anyway.”

Seriously, Roxas says, “I don’t know if it would be realistic to expect people who have eaten dog all their lives to stop. It may just be a matter of education, but that may take generations.”

As for the perception of native dogs as inferior: “They’re just as wonderful and intelligent as any pedigreed animal,” he says. “In fact, we can learn everything about life from just watching a dog, any dog. They are really so much better than you and me.”

Strike a pose

Although he cannot take any more dogs in his house because of Baby’s condition, Roxas has virtually “adopted” one shelter dog, Abba, providing for all her needs. Today, mocha-colored Abba and black-and-white Aaron, two of AKF’s oldest shelter dogs and the center’s official mascots, have come to pose with their benefactor.

The two, with five other dogs, were rescued from a cramped cage and certain death in Pangasinan in June 2006, when AKF operatives posing as dog meat buyers arranged to “purchase” them from a dealer about to sell them to a restaurant frequented by pedicab drivers. The restaurant owner admitted to slaughtering about five dogs a day to feed his customers. The trader was caught in the set-up and charged with violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

Abba is agitated from the trip, and even shelter manager Liezl Pendon and resident vet Dr. Roland Arciga can’t get her to relax. Then, the dogs get called into the library for the shoot, and Abba goes straight for Roxas, who almost touches his nose with hers.

“Hello, sweetheart,” murmurs Roxas in the gentlest of tones, stroking her head, and Abba calms down for the picture. It’s a long way from a doomed dog’s cage to this opulent library, but Abba knows a good heart when she sees one, wherever it may be.

China Is Criticised For Serving Dog Meat To Its Astronauts

2010-05-15T17:44:00.003+08:00

Hong Kong - A Hong Kong-based animal welfare charity Thursday criticised China's space programme for serving up dog meat to its astronauts.Yang Liwei, China's first man in space, revealed in his recent autobiography that dog meat was included in the special diet for astronauts preparing for missions.The Hong Kong-based charity Animals Asia Thursday hit out at the revelation by Yang, who made history when he orbited earth in the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft in October 2003.Irene Feng, the charity's spokeswoman said, "There are so many health risks associated with the farming, slaughter and consumption of dogs. I hope our national space team will consider these issues."There are a number of diseases associated with the dog meat trade, such as cholera, rabies and trichinellosis, and all of these can be transmitted to humans."We also believe that in some areas, teams of dog killers use cyanide to poison the dogs before selling them to meat markets."

Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson said the space programme should also consider the "terrible cruelty" of dog markets where she said animals face "days of terror before suffering a horrifying and brutal death."The consumption of dog meat has been widespread for centuries in China, particularly in rural areas, despite recent official steps by the government to discourage the practice.

["dog rescue" "dog meat trade" "animal welfare" "animal cruelty"]

WORLD RABIES DAY

2010-05-13T07:13:00.002+08:00

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

World Rabies Day is in its 4^th year and continues to grow! Thanks to your continued support and dedication to controlling rabies, WRD events have helped educate 100 million people and vaccinate nearly 3 million dogs worldwide. Last year, 105 countries participated in WRD. This year, we are asking you to again stand united and help us end rabies! World Rabies Day is September 28^th, 2010.

Visit our Resource Library on the World Rabies Day web site where you will find rabies educational materials in various languages, contributed by rabies advocates around the world! We invite you to use, duplicate and distribute these downloadable materials. If you would like to help us raise awareness by contributing an educational resource, please send your material to Peter Costa.

Our event submission form is now open! Click here to tell us about your event. New – you can add a photo (.JPG only) to accompany your event submission! Photo ideas include a picture from your previous World Rabies Day event, a photo of yourself or even upload your organization’s logo!

Students at Veterinary, Medical, Public Health and Nursing colleges across the world continue to lead the One Health movement! We encourage all students to embrace World Rabies Day as One Health in Action! Contact Dr Bob Weedon, Veterinary Outreach Coordinator for more information about how your school can get involved this year.

Humane Organizations and Shelters have made a huge impact on World Rabies Day! Last year alone, over one million children were educated about the importance of responsible pet ownership and animal bite prevention in preventing rabies. Visit the Shelter Outreach page of our website or contact Mylissia Stukey, Shelter Outreach Coordinator for more information.

World Rabies Day Logos are now available in 30 languages, freely downloadable from the logo page of our website. If you don’t see the World Rabies Day logos in the language that you would like, please contact us and we will work with you to develop them in your language.

World Rabies Day T-Shirts are now available! Buying World Rabies Day products helps you deliver the rabies prevention message to friends and community members. Every purchase helps us support community-level rabies projects in regions of the world with the greatest burden of human and animal rabies.

If you’ve not already downloaded it, the World Rabies Day 2009 Outcomes Brochure is now available online in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese formats. Thanks to the support of the Pan American Health Organization, additional non-English resources for World Rabies Day can be found at the following links: Español, Français and Português.

We also encourage you to view rabies videos on the WRD YouTube channel and keep current with our news and updates by following WRD on Twitter and Become a Fan on Facebook! One of the easiest ways to get involved for World Rabies Day is to talk to everyone you know about rabies prevention; stay connected!

For more information about how you can get involved on World Rabies Day, please visit www.worldrabiesday.org. If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation to the World Rabies Day Campaign, pleas

Publish Post

e click here. Thank you for your continued support of World Rabies Day!

Sincerely,

The World Rabies Day Team

Case Dismissed!

2010-05-12T08:50:00.003+08:00

LICENSE TO KILL

GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARDS COURTESY OF BAGUIO CITY PROSECUTORS

Baguio City is about 150 miles north of Manila and is the epicentre of the illegal dog trade and the eating of dog meat.

THIS IS NO GAME...IF ONLY IT WAS. These are the cold hard facts. You will remember in November and December 2009, we, together with the police, successfully carried out raids on three restaurants that were selling dog meat dishes. This was the first time restaurants had ever been targeted.

A total of nine people were arrested and all were charged under the new Anti rabies Act RA9482 which carries much stiffer penalties-fifty pound fine for each and every dog a trader is caught with, plus one to four years in jail. On the 4th of Januray 2010, the baguio City prosecutors, one Maria Lourdes Esperanza D. Soriano and one Alfredo R. Centeno, dismissed the cases due to what they claim is "lack of probable cause"..........their outrageous reason

Current Labels

2010-05-09T16:51:00.001+08:00

The Biggest Dog Rescue Shelter In Asia

2010-05-08T22:40:00.001+08:00

Photo by biyahengpinoy.com

for quite sometime, the word "askal" has been the term used for mongrels or strays. they are the ones with no exact origin or breed (mixed breed), usually seen roaming on the streets. derived from two filipino words "aso" and "kalye" meaning dog and street respectively, the said term seemed not too pleasing to the ears. but from askal, a new term with greater respect and proudness arises and it is "asong pinoy" or "aspin" for short. this term is the one being used by several animal welfare organizations in the country. one of them is the animal kingdom foundation (akf) who's devoted in caring and monitoring for the health and safety of these particular breed of dogs.

the animal kingdom foundation is the biggest dog shelter in the philippines with a land area of 2.5 hectares. we received an email invitation from our friend, greg quimpo, corporate secretary of akf, and we never wasted time. when we visited their shelter in tarlac, around 400 dogs howled and gave us a very loud welcome. for those wo are not used to having dogs or pets just like my 6 year old son, it would be a really scary experience. i also got scared a little bit because honestly, that was the most number of dogs i've seen in my life! these dogs were rescued by akf from different locations and groups performing illegal dog meat trading. knowing about this, i understood why these dogs were barking loud at us as if they are scrutinizing who their new visitors are. the dogs were staying inside large spacious lot houses (approximately 120m² each) enclosed with concrete hollow block walls and steel fences which included a covered area that protects the dogs from rain and extreme heat. they were carefully segregated by gender, age, and tame levels. those who were sick and badly hurt due to the horrible experience from their cruel abductors were placed first in quarantine houses until they've fully recovered. sadly, many aspins also didn't make it through all the pain and torture. that's why akf also allotted a place for a dog cemetery.

the dogs were very well taken care of. i can see with their physical appearances. no dog was too thin, their fur were in real good condition. they all seemed to be very lively. it's because akf has a very devoted shelter manager, a corporate secretary, an in-house veterinarian, and a pool of expert caregivers that looked after the dogs. they're fed with pre-mixed dog food that contained all the essential nutrients, complete with anti-rabies vaccines. it's also amazing how the staffs memorized all the names of each and every single dog. they'd give them exceptional kind of love. that's why when i touched and patted a dog named anthony, i felt warm. i would really adopt him if we only had a good home with enough space for keeping animals. i've explained to my kid that there's nothing to be afraid of the dogs. when we got home, he's so excited to tell everyone in the house about his visit to akf. he kept on speaking about the dogs and everyday he would ask me to go back there. he's also asking me if we could keep one already. i've promised him we'd get one once we've transfered to a better home.

aside from capturing and rescuing the aspins from illegal traders, akf still has other aims for these innocent creatures. you can help by means of the following:

A dopt. there are many available dogs in the shelter. they have been trained and tamed enough, ready for adoption.

S ponsor. if you cannot adopt yet, you can help by sponsoring their dogs by donating money to the foundation. dogs need food, care, treatments and vaccinations.

P romote. tell your friends and family about the shelter. tell them that they can visit their facility. just give akf a call. the management will be more than willing to give free seminars on aspin awareness, and can even offer activities such as hosting educational field trips, and free vaccination to the aspins in your community.

I nitiate. make the first move. all are welcome to share quality time with the dogs inside the shelter. you can walk them around, feed them, or even bathe them. just let them feel that you care. this will help the dogs to be prepared when someone decides to adopt them.

N urture. once you adopted a dog, be sure to keep a promise that he/she will never be in any kind of danger ever again. raise them as if it is your child and it will be guaranteed that you will receive the same affection back to you.

so in conclusion, what is special about "asong pinoy"? there are numerous advantages of having an aspin as a pet, compared to having an imported pure bred dog. aspins are more resilient and has low maintenance. just the regular dog shampoo and flea powder will do. aspins are also very smart that they are also now being considered for training as bomb-sniffing and rescue dogs as our pure-breed k9s are getting old and too expensive to maintain. and most importantly, aspins are not expensive at all. with akf's help, you may simply adopt one at no cost.

we would like to thank greg quimpo (corporate secretary), dr. roland g. arciga (doctor of veterinary medicine), and liezl p. pendon (shelter manager) for their hospitality. we would also like to thank the entire staffs of the animal kingdom foundation for accomodating us. for more information on their advocacy, adoption program and also their free tour, you may visit their website by clicking here or simply email them at akfadvocates@gmail.com. see more photos, click here. [read main article from www.biyahengpinoy.com]

Asong Pinoy Club Launched!

2010-04-27T08:03:00.001+08:00

A group of responsible pet owners banded together and called themselves "AsPin Club" (Filipino dog). The annual registration fee of each member will be donated to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society for the upkeep of the dogs in its shelter.

Time to shine, asPin!

Photos by: Sheena Advincula-Clavel

Earth Day 2010: Bark for the Environment

2010-04-25T18:03:00.004+08:00

April 22, 2010--Earth day was celebrated by the Philippine animal-welfare coalition at the Quezon City, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau ground. Humans with their dogs participated in a 1.5 and 3 kilometer run inside the sprawling government property. Paws and palm prints were imprinted on a wall by the participants signifying their commitment for the betterment of the environment.

Dogs and humans for the environment.

A lone Philippine dog was spotted "barking" for the environment.

Wetnose Animal Awards 2010

2010-04-24T22:08:00.000+08:00

WetnoseAnimalAid — April 23, 2010 — At 3.30 pm on the 3rd March, 2010 in Central London, there was a glorious array of Stars, but none shone brighter than those who were to receive the prestigious Wetnose Animal Awards. Fourteen animal rescue groups were to be honoured for their devotion and tireless effort in rescuing and protecting animal species by Wetnose Animal Aid with the assistance of a dazzling line up of celebrities. Three RAF service dogs with their 5 handlers were to receive a special award for bravery.

Winners and presenters of the individual awards: * Safe Haven for Donkeys in Israel award presented by Right Honourable MP, Anne Widdicombe to Lucy Fensum * Sussex Paws Rescue award presented by Roger Mugford to Stacey McSpirit and Sheila who have been rescuing animals for 32 years * Animals at Risk award presented by Lorraine Chase to Maggie and Peter Morrison * Willows Animal Sanctuary award presented by Russell Floyd and Gary Webster to Kate Robinson * Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary award presented by Nicola Duffett to Fiona Oakes, who is a keen runner covering 100 miles a week and has also, entered the London Marathon. * Animals in Need (animal casualties, domestic and wildlife) Northampton awarded presented by Lester Middlehurst to Roy Marriot. * Dartmoor Pony Training Centre Best Training Workshop award presented by John Altman to Natalie Torr * Farm Animal Sanctuary, Worcester the award was to be presented by Joanna Lumley who was unable to be there but sent a very charming message in her absence. However Susan Jameson stepped in to present the award to Jan Taylor. * Pussycat Lodge in Brentwood award presented by Gary Webster and Ingrid Tarrant to Jacqui Duly * Home and Away Animal Welfare (Sri Lanka) award presented by Sylvia Tidy-Harris to Janice Down * Borneo Orangutans Survival welfare achievement award presented by Nick Knowles to Grainne McEntee * Elephants for Africa conservation achievement awarded presented by Caroline Langrishe to Nick Knowles on behalf of Dr Kate Evans * Animal Kingdom in Philippines (who are responsible for stopping illegal slaughter of dogs over there) award presented by Clarissa Baldwin CEO of the Dogs Trust to owner of Sweet Charles Wartenburg. * The Horse Refuge Sanctuary (home to Europes tallest Shire Duke) and facing a 6 week eviction order if £500,000 cannot be raised. The award presented by Jenny Seagrove to Sara Tuppen * RAF service dogs, Billie, the Springer spaniel working in arms and explosives and recently returned from Iraq, Kubo the German shepherd who originated from the Czech republic working as a police dog, Duke spaniel X working in vehicle search and their 5 proud handlers received the Special Award for bravery. [Watch video]

2010-04-24T16:31:00.001+08:00

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan. April 11, 2010--Islanders' celebrate animal-welfare day! Thirty four dogs and 4 cats were vaccinated that day. Time to Reggae and let the dogs out!

The event was organized by the Malay municipal government; Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture, Boracay Rotary Club and the Animal Kingdom Foundation, Inc.

Cockfighting as a Cultural Heritage?

2010-03-28T07:03:00.001+08:00

Dear Hnr. Mr. Plaza,

I hear from a variety of sources that you intend to make cockfighting a Philippine cultural heritage item. As an official representative of the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC), I most respectfully inform you that such measure will have very negative consequences.

It appears that as a representative, and indeed the government, fail to recognize cockfighting for what it really is: a national addiction to gambling. Nothing more, nothing less. It has no more to do with Philippine culture than, say, having to go to the CR everyday.

I realize that in my own country, the Netherlands, and much to my resentment, use of soft drugs is legalized under certain circumstances and that many individuals engage in the drug scene in one way or another. Some make a good living from it. Others, the addicts, are forced to steal to get their daily fix. There are those that use (soft) drugs and carry on living, if only a little shorter. So intertwined with life over here it most certainly is, but calling drugs part of our cultural heritage? I most strongly object to that!

Gambling, of course, makes the poor even poorer and the rich even richer. It induces crime and spreads poverty. Additionally, it is simply torture of living creatures that suffer badly and unnecessarily, all in the name of, wait for it, “entertainment” … In short this is definitely NOT what I would want my national cultural heritage to associate with. Shouldn’t cultural heritage be about things that you are really proud of? So what pride can one possibly have over a pair of innocent birds that are forced to kill each other (which they would never do in nature)?

Furthermore, the people that frequent these grueling and bloody events only teach their offspring that (animal) suffering and drawing blood is “fun” and that gambling is an acceptable pastime. So will these youngsters be guaranteed a peaceful and crime-free society when they grow up? I think not! After all, scientific studies have shown that animal torturers "upgrade" to children and grown ups at the flick of a switch.

So quite the contrary from being cultural heritage, cockfighting must be banned, it’s bad, bad news for Filipinos!

I sincerely hope that you will take the time to think carefully about what message you are giving your own people and the world when you are so obviously enthusiastic about a bloody and violent pastime.

Sincerely Yours,

Michael J.L. van der Kleij
BSc. (Hons), CISSP, CEH

Tailrunners: Metro Dog Run 2010 (Reema Chanco Teaser)

2010-03-06T20:33:00.002+08:00

Tailrunners: Metro Dog Run 2010 (Reema Chanco Teaser)

Irresponsible Pet Ownership.

2010-03-04T00:14:00.003+08:00

2010-03-04T00:13:00.001+08:00

Asia For Animals (AFA) 2010 Resolutions

2010-03-01T22:14:00.001+08:00

The Asia for Animals (AFA) Conference, the largest, most representative Asian animal protection conference, passed the following resolutions at the AFA Conference in Singapore (more than 390 delegates from 26 countries, representing more than 200 organizations), on 18th January 2010.

Call for the Government of Philippines to:

End the dog meat trade.

Work closely with animal protection NGOs to improve enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, which prohibits dog and horse fighting.

End the exploitation of animals in Zoos.

Ensure all animals in Zoos and other captive animal facilities are provided conditions that meet their species specific needs.

End the exploitation of animals in the tourism industry.

End the trade in wildlife.

Integrate humane education into the national education system.

Make spay neuter programs for companion animals, a government policy.

Make government pounds animal welfare friendly.

Ensure that humane slaughter policies for food animals are strictly followed.

Not allow greyhound racing to take place in the Philippines.

Aim for a rabies-free Philippines by 2015 through vaccinations and education.

Ban the importation of elephants.

Ban the importation and exportation of dolphins.

79 Dog Carcasses Confiscated!

2010-01-29T11:55:00.001+08:00

Animal Kingdom Foundation, Inc.

2010-01-04T22:48:00.000+08:00

by: Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

This is not a pleasant picture to start off with, but it brings to light the sad reality of dog abuse in some parts of the Philippines.

Askals are beautiful dogs. I have two of them, and what makes them stand out is that they have such interesting personalities. Ashley is my favorite. She is loving, friendly, never bites anyone, is a catcher and always makes me laugh. When I'm sad, Ashley makes me forget everything because she herself is so uncomplicated. My second askal, Winniechurchill (named after my favorite Political hero) is more like a person. When I'm sad she will force me to look her in the eye, like she knows something's up and I end up waterfalling. Winnie is always neat and clean and perfect, tiny but the alpha dog. My third dog is a Schnoxie (mini schnauzer mini doxin) and still a pup. Her personality is still forming but she is cute. [Continued]

STORMS IN THE PHILIPPINES: OUR RESCUE CENTRE SUFFERS DAMAGE

2009-12-31T15:52:00.004+08:00

I arrived in the Philippines the very day after the first typhoon hit the Philippines. Our rescue centre, being just that bit north of Manila, caught the full force of the storm. Fortunately we escaped without any injuries to either our staff or the dogs; the wind did the main damage by blowing down fifteen of our very big mango trees. These crashed down onto fences which hold the dogs into their pens, causing a hundred plus dogs to be running around everywhere. Also the trees flattened dog shelters which give shelter to the dogs from the sun and the rain. Plus of course, we will now lose the revenue from being able to sell the mangos, an income we have grown to rely upon.

The land drains which we put in 2 to 3 years ago worked really well; these drains carried the water away depositing it into the river 500 feet away. I dread to think what it would have been like if we’d had to suffer the flooding. Needless to say, we still had plenty of mud - it was quite impossible to get off totally free. We now have contractors in, repairing the damage and making improvements; we learn as we go along that there is always something we could have done better.

At the time of the storm and at this present time, we have close to 400 rescued dogs in our centre and right now everything is back under control. I think, at the time, the dogs were quite happy - climbing up fallen trees and jumping over broken fences. I’m happy to say the other four typhoons that followed did not cause us any real problems, just plenty of rain.

Now for the real problem that does truly exist - the new Anti Rabies law which came into force over a year ago. As you will all be aware, this law introduced new severe penalties for dog traders - a £50 fine for each and every dog they are caught with, together with one to four years imprisonment. You would be forgiven for thinking, ‘That’s wonderful’. Yes, it would be wonderful if only the law was being enforced - but it is not.

Up to now dog traders are still being charged under the old Animal Welfare law and getting away with a £20/£30 fine. It is now eleven years since I started this work in the Philippines. At that time the old law had just been introduced and, as we all know, it has not deterred the dog traders. We desperately need to get this new legislation to be fully enforced. We do have the police on our side but the problem lays with the Justice Department. Believe me, I am doing everything I can think of to try and move this forward; it is not easy. Right now I have enlisted the help of an Animal Welfare organisation in New Zealand called Sirus. As far as I am aware this is the only animal welfare organisation in the world to have United Nations status. Through Sirus we are engaging with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food & Agriculture Office (FAO). Of course, we are climbing all over the Department of Health in the Philippines as well. The position is that the new Anti Rabies law (albeit that it has stiff penalties for trading in dogs) is actually aimed at saving humans from rabies and other diseases that are contractable through eating dogs. This does present a very serious risk to public health as hygiene in the world of dog trading simply does not exist. Hundreds if not thousands of people will get food poisoning, E.Coli and, in some cases, Rabies. Making this a public health issue is, in my view, giving us our best chance of forcing the Justice Department into action. [Continued]

GASSING DOGS TO DEATH

2009-12-29T07:53:00.002+08:00

The Great Human-Growth Hormone Hoax

2009-12-29T07:46:00.016+08:00

The Best Friendship makes Beautiful Art

2009-12-27T18:33:00.005+08:00

“For the desire to promote animal welfare to strive for the advancement of the veterinary medical profession and to nurture a good relationship between humans and animals…”

These were some of the golden words by Dr. Conrado Valdez, Dean of the University of the Philippines Veterinary Medicine College, as Award-winning artist Glenn Cagandahan’s sculpture entitled “Best Friends” was unveiled last December 15 at the UP Diliman Veterinary Hospital in Quezon City. The sculpture, which was lovingly donated by Merial Philippines with the support of Animal Kingdom Foundation Philippines, is part of the college’s commemoration of its 100th year. “More than promoting our products and our brand, we know that there is nothing more important than leaving a legacy to the next generation about the importance of animal welfare.” said Dr. Flor Viloria, Merial Philippines Marketing Manager.

Sculptor and UP College of Fine Arts Instructor Glenn Cagandahan, who was specially commissioned by Merial to do this project, had only one inspiration – his dog Freaky who died when the young artist was only in 5th grade. Freaky, an aspin (asong pinoy or native dog breed) was the first and last pet dog that the artist ever had in his entire life. It was such a traumatic experience, that Glenn could not bear get another pet again.
So when Merial Philippines called him up to do a sculpture that would serve as a marker for the UP Veterinary Hospital in the Diliman Campus, it was but natural for him to immediately think about Freaky. The image was instant in his mind – a boy kneeling down to kiss his dog and vice versa. The artist explained that the leveled pose didn’t only depict deeper meanings such as the equality of humans and animals; the symbiosis between the two earthlings. It was in fact how he remembered greeting his dog every day when he comes home from school.

Born and raised in Paete, Laguna, sculpting is definitely in Glenn Cagandahan’s blood and origins. But despite coming from a long tradition of wood carving, Glenn opted to deviate from the medium and instead experimented on modern materials such as resin, fiberglass, plastics, and already-mades. He admits that the shift was really deliberate. He wanted to avoid the cliché that Paete sculptors only use wood. Alongside this was his personal ecological advocacy.

The sculptor, Glenn Cagandahan, and his piece

The sculpture “Best Friends” is actually made of fiberglass, making it weatherproof, waterproof, and even lightweight. The artist took into consideration the possibility of the sculpture being moved in case the UP Vet Hospital gets some dose of renovation or relocation in the near future. Although the sculpture was mainly inspired by Glenn and his relationship with his aspin Freaky, the faceless figures and its white austere finish depict the cross-cultural and universal appeal of the man-dog friendship. Anybody who has ever loved a dog can definitely relate. Indeed, one of God’s artworks in this world is this beautiful friendship between man and his pet dog.

By: MyPetChannel.TV

Support Animal-Welfare!

Happy Holidays From Our Family To Yours!

Mayweather is Killing the Fight

2009-12-27T13:10:00.003+08:00

Rabies infections highlight dangers of processing dog meat

2009-12-23T23:29:00.000+08:00

In research published today in the open access journal PLoS Medicine, Dr Heiman Wertheim and colleagues from the National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi, Vietnam, report on two patients admitted to hospital showing signs of rabies infection. Neither patient was thought to have been bitten by a rabid animal in the preceding months.

Rabies is a very serious - and in nearly all cases fatal - disease. It is estimated to kill more than 30 000 people each year in Asia, and the number of cases in China and Vietnam is increasing. Symptoms include agitation, severe spasms, fever, fear of water and inability to drink liquids, and eventually death. Humans are usually infected after being bitten by an infected animal such as a dog or bat.

Eating dog meat is common in many Asian countries, but research conducted as part of the South East Asian Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Network has discovered a potentially lethal risk associated with preparing dog meat: rabies.

When the researchers investigated whether the patients had come into contact with infected animals in the preceding months, they found that both had been involved in preparing and eating animals that may have been infected. In the first patient's case, he had prepared and eaten a dog that had been killed in a road traffic accident; rabid dogs were known to inhabit the neighbourhood. The second patient had butchered and eaten a cat that had been sick for a number of days.

In both cases seen by Dr Wertheim and colleagues, it is thought that infection occurred during the slaughtering, and not by eating the meat, as the meal was shared by others who did not become infected. In Asia, it is believed that eating dog meat enhances health and longevity. It is eaten throughout the year in the second half of the lunar month, particularly in the winter months, when it is believed to increase body heat.

In Vietnam, dogs with rabies have been detected in dog slaughterhouses and workers at dog slaughterhouses are vaccinated against rabies as part of the national programme for rabies control and prevention. However, the private slaughter of dogs is relatively common in the country.

"We need to alert both the general public and clinicians about the risks around butchering and handling meat," says Dr Wertheim. "People should not handle animals that may be infected with rabies. Rabies can be prevented with a vaccine and people exposed to rabies can be helped with post-exposure prophylaxis, but this needs to be administered as quickly as possible following the exposure. Once a person shows symptoms, the disease is almost invariably fatal.

"Vietnamese doctors already consider dog slaughtering to be a risk factor for rabies transmission, but it is important that other health care workers and policy makers, both inside and outside Vietnam, are aware of this risk factor."
The South East Asian Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Network is funded by the Wellcome Trust and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health USA.

Notes for editors

1. Wertheim, H et al. Furious Rabies after an Atypical Exposure. PLoS Medicine. 17 March 2009. Download the paper
2. The South East Infectious Disease Clinical Research Network is a multinational clinical research network that strives to advance the scientific knowledge and clinical management of infectious disease through integrated, collaborative clinical research in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The principal sources of funding for the Network are the US National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA and the Wellcome Trust, UK.
3. The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending over £600 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.

Contact: Craig Brierley, Senior Media Officer,Wellcome Trust,T +44 (0)20 7611 7329,E c.brierley@wellcome.ac.uk
Source: Wellcome Trust

Raided For The First Time! Dog Meat Dish Restaurant In Baguio City Faces Closure!

2009-11-28T08:58:00.002+08:00

The primary server of dog meat dishes in Baguio City was raided by AKF with the PNP on November 25, 2009. The planning was thorough and the operation, swift. 5 people were arrested and the case is taking it's natural course. This is the first time that any group has ever raided a dog meat restaurant. We are now ready t...o hurdle the legal side of the operation and pray that we will win this one as we need the precedent as a blue print to raid more dog meat dish restaurants. Thanks to all of you, animal welfare advocates!

ONLINE AUCTION FOR ANIMAL WELFARE!

2009-11-13T20:59:00.000+08:00

ONLINE AUCTION! SEND IN YOUR BID VIA E-MAIL. ALL ITEMS IN ONE BID. AN X-MAS CARD FOR THE ANIMAL-LOVERS, A TIMBERLAND BAG CUM LAPTOP CARRIER AND A PRE-OWNED CASUAL BAG FOR LADIES. BIDDING WILL END 1ST WEEK OF DECEMBER. ALL ITEMS WILL BE SHIPPED TO YOU FROM ENGLAND.

SEND IN BID AT: akfadvocates@gmail.com.

Bid starts at 150 USD.

Issues and Concerns/Recommendations of the One Health Summit

2009-11-11T15:03:00.000+08:00

Supply of vaccine for at least 80% of 9 million dogs in the Philippines.

Recommendation: rabies vaccine reconstitution to be requested through JICA project by next year and augmentation of rabies vaccine from Bill Gates Foundation but in the Visayas only.

PEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) given to all LGU vets will be provided by the DOH upon request but anti-tetanus shot is not included in PEP. Recommendation: all veterinary students participating in government vaccination programs can be given Pre-exposure Prophylaxis
Need to develop standards for gas chamber as form of euthanasia for control of stray dogs/cats.
Creation of Animal Welfare Desk in all PNP offices/stations. Recommendation: Make a complaint and report immediately any animal abuse to 0917-8475757 (PNP textline).
Application of S2 license centralized now with PDEA; online application thru PDEA’s website also now available. There is a need to inform PDEA of any importation of dangerous drugs specifically Pentobarbital.
Lack of trained personnel in using gunshot for humane destruction of livestock (REBOV). Suggestion for PNP officers to be trained in shooting animals for destruction.
There is a need for the veterinary corps to be included in the national disaster coordinating council (NDCC) and receive training in animal rescue. Technical working group should be created to draft the resolution thereto.
There is a need to stop dog meat trading by proper enforcement of RA 9482. PNP made a comment that they have 12 checkpoints going to Baguio to monitor dog trading since there have been no dog trader accosted in checkpoints; surveillance is very important in curtailing dog trade and need to be reported immediately.
No regular supply of rabies conjugate at the RADDL (Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory). Rabies Conjugate supply in the RADDL will be augmented by the BAI.
Procedure for filing animal welfare cases and violations of the anti-rabies law will be the same as filing of criminal case.
LGUs to adopt RA 9482 (Anti-rabies Act) in their respective jurisdiction.
Regarding the integration of rabies in the curriculum, there is a need for a directive from the DepEd National for implementation by the DepEd Regional. Recommendation: adopt the Region V modules for national implementation.
Focus also in dog neutering in addition to mass vaccination in dogs.
Possibility to conduct a regional immunization control is not feasible due to limited resources
Refine some clause in the law to emphasize DILG’s role in the control of rabies. Recommendation: DA Secretary and DOH secretary to write a resolution to the DILG and the DepEd to have a more active role in the program.

Some local chief executives do not appoint veterinarians. No sanction in the law for not filling up mandatory positions. Recommendation: Dr. Atienza of DA BAI, Atty. Camacho of ULAP and Dr. Deray of DOH to meet with USec Panadero of DILG for the inclusion of appointment of mandatory positions in the LGU in the evaluation of the LGU performance. ULAP’s executive director will echo the issues raised also to the DILG secretary and emphasize the need for support of LGU for the implementation of the rabies law. ULAP to pass a strong resolution for the mandatory appointment of veterinarians in the LGUs
Regarding the Bohol’s Rabies elimination program, was animal welfare considered since stray dogs were shot in the streets in public? Shooting is acceptable with proper supervision by veterinarians and should be done privately. ULAP will meet with the governor about the concern.
Request to add the quick neutering technique in the course syllabus of surgery subjects of veterinary schools.
Strengthen advocacy information and education campaign about animal bite treatment centers (ABTCs) to counter the myths about tandok.
To draft a resolution for all government veterinarians to receive the full benefits of the Magna Carta for public health personnel.*

They also rescue pets, livestock from floods

2009-10-27T22:09:00.000+08:00

By Tessa Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:54:00 10/05/2009

Filed Under: Good news, Animals, Ondoy, Food, Disasters (general), Relief & Aid Organisations

MANILA, Philippines—They set out to rescue endangered pets and livestock from the flood—while also helping humans along the way.

For five days now, an international team of animal welfare and animal rights advocates has been braving the floods in neighborhoods devastated by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” (international codename: Ketsana), asking around for abandoned animals and keeping an ear out for a puppy’s whimper, a cat’s scratching, or a pig’s squeal.

Assisted by the Philippine Army, the international team peered into dark living rooms, knocked on shuttered windows. Members of the team made chirping sounds, dog- and cat-calls—or anything that could draw a response from trapped creatures.

As of Sunday, Animal Rescue Pilipinas (ARP) had saved nine dogs (including two puppies), one adult cat and a kitten, and one turtle.

The lucky animals are now in the care of the Philippine Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC) in Loyola Heights subdivision, Quezon City, where they await either a reunion with their owners or re-adoption.

Right to be rescued

“Humans should be rescued first, but the animals have a right to be rescued as well,” said one of the leaders of the team, veterinarian Nielsen Donato.

The ARP only started to mobilize four days after Ondoy had left the country so as not to interfere with human rescue operations that were launched immediately after the storm, said Donato, a cofounder of the Philippine Association of Wildlife Veterinarians Inc. and president of the Feathered Friends Foundation (FFF).

As of Sunday, ARP members had penetrated flooded areas in Laguna, Bulacan and Tarlac, and the cities of Marikina, Pasig and Taguig. They had also distributed relief goods to some 220 families.

Since most of the pet owners were nowhere to be found, the team members simply gave the animals new names when these were rescued.

Precious finds

Among their precious finds was “Twiggy,” a spotted mongrel, who was stranded for six days atop a table in a barangay outpost. Nearing death at the time she was rescued, Twiggy was now at the PARC recovering from severe dehydration.

Also saved was “Julia,” a light-brown dog small enough to fit in a handbag. She was spotted standing on a rock, shivering and starving.

“Stanley,” a medium-sized mongrel, and “Fiddler,” a German Shepherd, were both rescued from the ill-fated Provident Villages in Marikina City. Both were also treated for severe dehydration.

Apparently overjoyed by the sight of a human, “Lyndon,” a brown mongrel stranded on a rooftop, also at Provident, wagged his tail vigorously when found and jumped onto the outstretched arms of a rescuer.

Two days ago, the team found six pigs that were still in their pens on Acacia Street, Pasig City. Unable to escape and visibly hungry, the pigs were wailing and had begun eating anything that floated by, including garbage.

Too heavy to be moved to safe ground, the team decided to feed them while waiting for the owner to return.

But for many other animals, the effort came too late. Bloated carcasses of pets, some still on leashes or in cages, greeted the team in Marikina, for example.

World Animal Day

“I never imagined this was how we would observe World Animal Day (Oct. 4),” said Anna Hashim-Cabrera, program director for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), one of the local organizations comprising the ARP.

“We’ve been receiving over a hundred e-mails asking us to attend to trapped animals. A lot of people are concerned now. There’s a bigger clamor for animal rescues,” Cabrera said.

Other Filipino groups on the ARP team include Animal Kingdom Foundation, Animal Welfare Coalition, Compassion and Responsibility for Animals, and the FFF.

International groups also on board are the Humane Society International, World Society for the Protection of Animals, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Each organization was given different assignments depending on its specialization. The ARP gathered experts in animal rescue, shelter care, veterinary medicine, etc.

Urgent case

An urgent case involving both animal and human marked Day 5 of the ARP’s mission Sunday.

On a rubber boat, as though in a scene straight from some jungle adventure, Donato, along with paramedic Brenda Stanton and emergency responder Mike Booth (both of IFAW), attended to a snake bite victim.

Only this time it was in Barangay San Andres in suburban Cainta, Rizal, where floods unleashed by Ondoy nine days ago remained chest-deep.

The victim, a resident named Ariel Odea, was bitten by a reticulated python that sought shelter in his flooded house. Captured alive, the snake was turned over to Donato, who planned to release it far from human habitation.

Reporter's Notebook On Animal Cruelty

2009-10-21T11:07:00.000+08:00

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AKF's Animal Rehabilitation & Rescue Center (ARRC)

2009-10-20T23:39:00.002+08:00

Background music: Neal Schon's Bandalero.

Award-winning Documentary About The Suffering Of Animals.

2009-10-03T19:18:00.000+08:00

http://www.earthlings.com/

An Animal Welfare Advocate Sponsors Five Once Slaughter-Bound Dogs!

2009-10-03T16:43:00.001+08:00

Click picture for larger view.

Adopt or Sponsor A Rescued Dog! (Click here to see dogs)

2009-10-03T10:49:00.006+08:00

FOR PHP300 (6.5 USD)/MONTH, YOU CAN KEEP A RESCUED DOG ALIVE.

Please e-mail intention @: akfadvocates@gmail.com

Click picture for larger view

A Homeless Man And His 7 Dogs

2009-09-23T20:38:00.000+08:00

2009-09-23T20:36:00.000+08:00

2009-09-23T20:33:00.001+08:00

Wolrd Celebrates Animals

2009-09-16T18:30:00.000+08:00

July Whitby of Nottingham, UK Raising Funds For AKF!!!

2009-09-14T00:19:00.000+08:00

July Whitby. Nottingham, United Kingdom. Friend of AKF & The Filipino Dogs. Pure Animal-Lover. True Animal Welfare Advocate!

World Animal Day . Making Gift Bags to sell on my stall tomorrow for AKF. 12.9.09. Fifi our dog is wanting me to play ball with her. !!!

I invested a little money to make it Bigger. Be creative i enjoyed doing this

Hill Top Farm , Risley 7am 13.9.09

The big day and helping to promote awareness for my Fav Charity.

Juxtapose, a simple bowl of water can help save a Dogs life. Thank You AKF for all the work you do to help our four legged friends.

THANK YOU, JOOLES!

Greyhound Bill Grounded!

2009-09-08T17:22:00.002+08:00

House withholds OK from greyhound racing
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:59:00 09/08/2009

Filed Under: Animals, Legislation

MANILA, Philippines—The House of Representatives has agreed to hold in abeyance its approval of a second franchise for greyhound dog racing after animal protection groups prevailed upon the Senate to defer action on the first franchise.

Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona said House members agreed to beat a retreat from his House Bill 4116, which grants a legislative franchise to the Southeast Asia Greyhound Racing Club Inc., even though the bill had been approved on second reading.

Madrona said the House was forced to make the move after seven senators vowed to block the introduction of greyhound racing in the country because it was “immoral” and “cruel to animals.”

They were prevailed upon to do so by animal rights groups Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Animal Kingdom Foundation, Feathered Friends, Compassion and Responsibility for Animals, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The Senate is currently deliberating the first legislative franchise to operate greyhound racing in Mandaue City for Fox New Millennium Amusement Club Inc. (FNMACI), which was approved as HB 5291 by the lower house in December.

Madrona said the House committee on franchises had conducted extensive hearings on the two greyhound racing franchises before they were approved.

35 Butchered Dogs And 2 Live Dogs Recovered

2009-09-07T16:59:00.006+08:00

September 5, 2009

Vehicle with plate number ACZ 361 intercepted by the Philippine police. There were 35 butchered dogs and 3 live dogs recovered. However the other one eventually perished.

Since, I was late to the area the 35 butchered dogs were already condemned by the police and the Rosario municpal agricultural department. Only the two very weak dogs were found inside the vehicle.

All the five dog-traders, Jeffrey Reyes, Jason Madamba, Vicente Dumenden, Jhondy Carambas and Rod Abara posted bail for P3,000.00 each.

(Report by B. Gegway AKF Senior Researcher)

AKF Labeled As A Hate Group Due To Its Anti-Greyhound Racing Stand

2009-09-03T20:08:00.005+08:00

(Click letter to read)

Philippines. Tarlac. Dogs for Adoption. Animal Kingdom Foundation.

2009-09-01T11:38:00.004+08:00

Approximately an hour or so North of Manila is the city of Tarlac. That's home base for the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), a non-government organization dedicated to combating the dog meat trade among other animal welfare issues. They work with the Philippine National Police (PNP)...[Chessbuff]

{Music by: Neal Schon. BANDALERO]