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Monday, June 02, 2003
When man is not necessarily a dog's best friend
By May Anne Cacdac
WHAT happens when man, supposedly a dog's best friend becomes a dog's worst enemy? What happens is a series of cruelties that touches a chord in the heart of those who are not even pet lovers.
Melchor Alipio, the country's representative to the international organization safeguarding animal welfare, Political Animal Lobby, could only shake his head as he recalls several instances where he had witnessed how cruel man can really be to animals, dogs in particular.
"I can't even start to describe how bad the situation is for our animals here in the country. Everyday, house pets, mostly dogs are being peddled in the streets for food consumption," Alipio said.
PAL, according to Alipio, was formed to ensure and protect animal's welfare against cruelty and to promote long-term humane treatment of animals and appreciation of the importance of man's relationship with them and of our shared environment.
"We are supporting the government's implementation of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998," he said.
And cruel men can really be. Alipio said that the dogs being sold here in the Cordilleras, where dog meat dishes are popular, are being transported from the provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Quezon.
"A tricycle or even a bicycle does the round in the different barangays, going from household to household, buying dogs. House owners with more than one dog are encouraged to sell their pets for as low as P50 to P75 just so they could get rid of their dogs," Alipio related.
These dogs, in turn, are being sold in the region for as high as P500 to P600 each. When computed, these dog traders earn almost P45 million a year.
"Being in this trade can be very lucrative, which is the reason why we, those who are supporting RA 8485, are having a hard time implementing it," Alipio added.
Here in the Cordilleras, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-CAR) is in the frontline for the implementation of the act.
Senior Insp. Ricarte Marquez of the CIDG-CAR said that they have had six operations in the last six months. "We have already filed six charges against those who have violated RA8485."
According to Marquez, the dogs being transported from the lowlands were supposed to be delivered to a restaurant in La Trinidad famous for serving dog meat dishes. "If only the consumers are able to witness the state of the dogs before they are being slaughtered."
The dogs that were intercepted by the CIDG agents during their operations were all bound by the legs and mouth, either with straw or wires.
"The last dogs we were able to rescue were bound by the mouth with tin cans. All of them were suffering from mange (galis aso) and all were distressed from lack of oxygen," he said.
This was due to the tight space into which the dogs were transported in. "Imagine fitting 60 to 80 dogs in a jeep or a van, then you can picture the situation of the dogs that had to endure an 8 to 10-hour trip," Marquez said.
Both Alipio and Marquez said that RA8485 still has to be strengthened.
"However, this should not be a reason why we should be discouraged from supporting the act. Animals, just like humans, have rights, feelings as well," Alipio countered.
Marquez could not agree more. After all, they have dogs as partners in some of their operations. "Dogs have proven themselves to be trustworthy and loyal to their masters. They have saved the lives of many. It is time we start saving theirs."
(June 2, 2003 issue)
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