125 dogs rescued, 400 kilos of dog meat confiscated in Pangasinan

PANGASINAN , Philippines  – Police authorities saved 125 dogs loaded in two vans reportedly bound for Baguio City and seized about 400 kilos of dog meat in separate operations in the province.

Reports said policemen in Malasiqui town, led by Inspector Fernando Elcano, deputy police chief, flagged down an L-300 van carrying 60 dogs and driven by one Jayson Ortega, 32, at a checkpoint.

A half-hour later, lawmen intercepted a Kia van with 65 dogs bound for Baguio City. Arrested were van driver Wilfredo Maravilla, 42, and his companion, Benjamin Abante, 22.

Cases of violation of Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, will be filed against the three suspects, who all hail from San Pedro, Laguna, while the rescued dogs were placed under the custody of proper authorities.

Meanwhile, police arrested Arsenio Cabinta Jr., 19, of La Trinidad, Benguet, after 10 sacks of dog meat, weighing about 400 kilos, were found in a Toyota FX van he was driving in Barangay Cablong, Pozorrubio town Saturday morning.