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Throughout Asia there
is a history of abuse towards dogs and cats. In
Korea, the common belief is that torture improves
the "quality" of the flesh of these intelligent
companion animals. In some other Asian countries
however, the beliefs are different but just as
horrifying.
In an attempt to
modernise and make themselves more acceptable to
western commerce and tourism, several Asian
countries have legislated against the most blatant
of these practices, to international applaud.
Unfortunately however, a law that is not enforced
is no law at all.
In 1997, the
Congress of the Philippines approved The Republic
Act (no. 8485)
"AN ACT TO PROMOTE
ANIMAL WELFARE IN THE PHILIPPINES, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS "THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF 1998", the text of
which can be read in detail on our web site.
On paper, this is a
praiseworthy law and an example to the rest of
Asia. There is however one slight problem with
this legislation. IT IS BLATANTLY IGNORED.
Throughout
the Philippines, there are Government run markets
where dogs are openly sold as meat
animals.
LET US BE CLEAR,
THESE ARE MEAT ANIMALS.
Pets are not sold with their front limbs
dislocated and tied behind their backs with wire.
Pets are not sold with jagged tin cans forced over
their jaws so that they can't even breathe
properly, or howl to express their pain and
despair!
These dogs are sold
alive to ensure that their meat is fresh. The
purchaser can then drag the dog away (by the
dislocated limbs) IN SEVERE PAIN to kill it as he
sees fit. This is normally achieved by slitting
the throat or bludgeoning the animal to
death.
Please join ITD's campaign to persuade
the Philippines' Govt to enforce its existing laws
forbidding this atrocious cruelty.
Feel free to use the
following sample email, although if you could
write your own, it would be better. It should be
sent to the President and Vice President, with cc
to the other addresses. For more information on
dogmeat in the Philippines, visit the PAL Network
for Animals web site at http://www.networkforanimals.org/home.htm
Dear Mr Vice President
Although I applaud your country's
introduction of a law to protect companion animals
(i.e. The Animal Welfare Act, 1998), I am shocked
by your lack of resolve to enforce this law.
Section 6 clearly states that;
"It shall
be unlawful for any person to torture any animal,
to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or
shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any
dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or
cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of
adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat
or use the same in research or experiments not
expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal
Welfare."
It also goes on to state;
The killing of
any animal other than cattle, pigs. goats, sheep,
poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer, and
crocodiles is likewise hereby declared unlawful
except in the following instances:" and lists
several exceptions, none of which mention either
dogs or food.
Evidence clearly proves that dogs are
currently being sold for human consumption in
Government-approved markets in blatant
contravention of this law. These animals are
treated with appaling cruelty.
I respectfully request that you enforce your
nation's law without delay. Until you do, I
certainly cannot consider taking a holiday in the
Philippines, nor of buying any products from your
country. I will regretfully have to advise my
friends to do the same.
Yours sincerely
Name/Country
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