Unknown to most Filipinos, Baguio City is the no.1 consumer of “dog meat” in the Country. It is illegally traded from nearby lowland provinces. The meat of a dog produces heat to the human body suitable for the cold temperature of the region.
Eating “dog meat” in Baguio City is a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. Even the passage of the “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998” does not prohibit the locals from practicing this tradition.
Tip: If you want to taste a dog cuisine, just go at the back of Baguio Center Mall and look for “katipunan eatery”. 🙂
Reference:
Section 6 of RA8485 or “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998” which provides:
SECTION 6: It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, or to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or produce to be tortured or deprived of adequate care sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare.
The killing of any animal other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer and crocodiles is likewise hereby declared unlawful except in the following instances:
1.When it is done as part of the religious rituals of an established religion or sect or a ritual by tribal or ethnic custom of indigenous cultural communities. However, leaders shall keep records in cooperation with the Committee on Animal Welfare;
2.When the pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease/s determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;
3.When the killing is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the animal as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;
4.When it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being;
5.When done for the purpose of animal population control;
6.When the animal is killed after it has been used in authorized research or experiments; and
7.Any other ground analogous to the foregoing as determined and certified by a licensed veterinarian.
In all the above mentioned cases, including those of cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer and crocodiles, the killing of the animals shall be done through humane procedure at all times.
For this purpose, humane procedures shall mean the use of the most scientific methods available as may be determined and approved by the committee.
Only those procedures approved by the Committee shall be used in the killing of animals.
**Read more about “The Animal Welfare Act” of 1998 or RA8485 here
