Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong reminded the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) on the intensified implementation of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
The mayor’s directive came after receiving a report from BCPO City Director Francisco Bulwayan Jr. that the police caught a man in the act of butchering a dog and selling its internal parts and dog meat in Barangay Irisan on May 30, 2024.
The BCPO received a complaint from the Furvent Animal Rescue and Advocacy group alleging animal cruelty against a man caught on video recording.
The video shows a man hitting a dog with the use of a metal until said dog died.
Personnel of BCPO Station 9 based in Irisan responded to the complaint and caught the suspect who now faces charges of animal cruelty.
The mayor also ordered inspection of several local eateries over alleged serving of dog meat dishes to their customers.
“We will not tolerate animal cruelty in Baguio City, the police will search and arrest violators of the Animal Welfare Act,” the mayor said.
The BCPO and CVAO committed to work together in this endeavor in partnership with animal welfare advocacy groups in the city.
RA 8485, as amended by RA 10631, promotes and safeguards the welfare and wellbeing of animals and provides penalties for the violation of its provisions. ** JM Samidan