The Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) Investigations Team, working in coordination with the Philippine National Police, conducted an intelligence-led operation to intercept a delivery of a live dog intended for slaughter within the illegal dog meat trade in Brgy. Macayug, San Jacinto, Pangasinan.
During the arrest and rescue phase of the operation, officers and investigators intercepted the suspect. The dog was located bound at the muzzle and legs. Tragically, the animal was found deceased at the scene. A subsequent veterinary examination determined the likely cause of death to be suffocation.
A 49-year-old female was arrested in connection with the incident for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act No. 8485). The investigation remains ongoing.
“This represents an escalation in tactics by dog meat traders. This is the first dog our team has lost to the dog meat trade, and we are deeply saddened by this outcome. We are determined to work even more closely with our partners at the Philippine National Police to ensure those responsible for animal cruelty are brought to justice.”
– Jacob Lloyd, CEO, Animal Welfare Investigations Project
AWIP and the Philippine National Police continue to pursue intelligence-led enforcement action against organised animal cruelty and urge members of the public with information relating to illegal animal trade to report it to the authorities.
