By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) offers a P10,000 reward for individuals who could report incidents of illegal dog meat trade in the city.

Colonel Noel Aliño, BCPO acting director, said that he was willing to give bounties to every informant who would directly report to him.

During a press conference yesterday, Aliño gave his cellphone number so that informants would directly contact him.

“They can contact me through 09695737167 kung may kaalaman kayo sa dog meat trading. I’ll give P10,000 sa bawat information,” Aliño said.

As of press time, he said his office had not yet received complaints. 

Aliño added there is a law which prohibits such illegal acts, which also includes the illegal selling and buying of dogs and cats.

The maltreatment and slaughter of dogs for consumption is prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

The Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines forbids eating dog meat because it may carry diseases such as rabies.

Earlier, Ai-ai Gamboa, vice president of the Community Animal Rescue Efforts Inc., said they have received several complaints that the dog meat trade is getting rampant in the city.

Likewise, Bacolod Animal Chance and Hope Project PH offers rewards to those who would report such an illegal act, Gamboa said.

There were about 72,000 stray and owned dogs and cats in the city, according to the City Veterinary Office./MS, WDJ