Animal activists stall dog meat feast

Benguet, Philippines: An early Christmas feast by dog meat lovers in this province was foiled recently after authorities, aided by animal rights activists, swooped down on a establishment engaged in the illegal slaughter of canine for food.

Representatives of the London-based Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), the Sweden-based Animal Protection Network and agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Meat Inspection Service rescued at least 49 dogs from a slaughter house in Alapang village last week.

Brando Gegway, AKF's Luzon representative-investigator said the slaughterhouse is owned by known dog meat trade Ador Leyno.

AKF had earlier rescued dogs at a slaughter house owned by the same local businessman in Gayasi. "The battle won't end here," Gegway said.

Trading in dog meat is illegal in the Philippines and traders are penalised up to $100 (Dh367) for every dog in their possession aside from imprisonment of up to four years.