TWO men were arrested in Baguio City after they were caught loading a dead dog into their vehicle.
The suspects were identified as Edmond Calado Landisan, 37 years old, married and a resident of San Carlos Heights and Richard Rusti.
Investigation revealed that based on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage in Upper Quezon Hill, a taxi with a plate number AYU-179 stopped beside a dying dog.
The suspects approached the dog and loaded it inside the taxi before speeding off.
On the same day, there were reports that other dogs in the area were believed to have been poisoned.
Landisan and Rusti were jailed for violating Republic Act (RA) 8485 as amended by RA 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
Section 1 of the Animal Welfare Act protects and promotes the welfare of all terrestrial, aquatic and marine animals in the Philippines by supervising and regulating the establishment and operations of all facilities utilized for breeding, maintaining, keeping, treating or training of all animals either as objects of trade or as household pets.
It further states animal welfare pertains to the physical and psychological well-being of animals and includes, but not limited to, the avoidance of abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation of animals by humans by maintaining appropriate standards of accommodation, feeding and general care, the prevention and treatment of decease and the assurance of freedom from fear, distress, harassment, and unnecessary discomfort and pain, and allowing animals to express normal behavior.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of death of the three dogs.