BAGUIO CITY – Dog is said to be man’s best friend, but not for these three people who were caught by authorities in the act of slaughtering a dog on Thursday, August 11, in Purok 5, Bontoc Village Camp 8 in this city.

According to Station 8 of the Baguio City Police Office, Atty. Amadeo Degay of Furvent Animal Rescue and Advocacy rang up the police station around 10:25 in the morning to inform that a dog was slaughtered in the said place.

The police immediately responded and arrested the three suspects while they were dividing the dog meat.

The arrested were identified as Reynaldo Aquino Baysic, 50, glass installer, a resident of No. 239, Purok 5, Camp 8, Baguio City and owner of the slaughtered dog; Fernando Lapugen Milo, 52, and Rhumcy Bagawi Balisong, 34.

Both Milo and Balisong are construction workers and residents also of Purok 5, Camp 8, Baguio City.

Police confiscated more than ten kilos of dog meat, a blow torch, an LPG tank, a bolo, and a knife.

Consequently, the three suspects are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 8485 as amended by RA 10631, also known as the ‘Animal Welfare Act of 1998.’

Baguio City director Col. Glenn Lonogan reminded that the police are strict in their campaign against dog slaughter, more so since City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has a marching order of promoting and protecting animal welfare.

According to Lonogan, the slaughter of dogs, whether privately or sold in the market and served in eateries, is strictly prohibited under the law.

He said strict vigilance is also maintained at checkpoints on incoming vehicles suspected of carrying dog meat to be sold to eateries in the city.