AKFI Seizes Butchered Dogs In Baguio Raid
By: Nixon A. Canlapan (updated Aug. 2008)

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS The raiding team places the burned dogs’ carcasses in sacks.

The Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc., a London-based animal rights group, raised the fight against animal abuse to the next level with simultaneous raids on dog traders in Baguio City yesterday, the day the anti-rabies law took effect. At 7:30 a.m., the group, accompanied by members of the National Meat Inspection Service led by OIC director Dr. Florentino Pintor, the Criminal Investigation Detection Group led by SPO4 Risal Malicsi, and the AKF led by Brando D. Gegway, AKF senior investigative researcher, raided the Baguio Public Market and arrested several dog meat vendors and one dog trader. [Continue]

Although no wagging tails and barking were seen and heard last October 19, 2007 in a gathering inspired by AKF’s rescued dogs, the atmosphere during the luncheon party organized by AKF for its valued sponsors and supporters was very much lively and, yes, inspiring.

AKF’s Management Head, Suzanne Llanera headed the local staff while introducing to the guests --- the Chairman of International Wildlife Coalition Trust (IWCT-UK) John Hawkridge and AKF President and Founder Charles Wartenberg. Both came from the United Kingdom to personally thank the sponsors and supporters of AKF. Ms. Llanera further laid out to the passionate personalities representing their organizations and companies the future plans of the foundation in terms of rescuing slaughter-bound dogs. The top officers of the government agencies from the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Section of the Department of Agriculture and the private companies of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Oxford Suites, Pet One together with a number of passionate donors also received updates of the present operations and programs of the foundation.

It was a luncheon get-together of dog lovers. A very well attended affair and AKF, with the unwavering support of these agencies and companies, hope to continue this inspiring gathering and build a tradition that collects individuals and companies in an event where the future of the Philippine dogs, without the wagging and barking, are the main subjects and concern.

To our sponsors, donors and supporters wet licks and more!

posted Aug. 17, 2008
Finally, Two Dog Traders to Suffer One Year Jail Term Each
Candon City, Ilocos Sur- Finally for more than one year of court proceedings, two legitimate dog traders are sentenced each for one year jail term. From the decision of Candon City Municipal Trial Court held by Honorable Judge Modesto L. Quismorio, Jr., the verdict thus reads, "In view of all the foregoing evidence, the court find the accused Richard Maravilla and Rosano Del Rosario guilty beyond reasonable doubts as co-principals by direct participation in the commission of the crime charged and here sentences them to suffer the straight penalty of imprisonment of ONE (1) YEAR pursuant to section 8 of Republic Act 8485.

It was on July 26, 2007 at 11;30 am, with the joint efforts of the Candon City Police Office lead by Police Inspector Providencio Calibuso, City Veterinarian DVM Roland Maranion and the Animal Kingdom Foundation caught Richard Maravilia of 349 Quezon, Cuyab, San Pedro, Laguna and Rosano Del Rosario of Barangay Camcam Binian Laguna in an attempt to transport 60 live dogs to Vigan City Ilocos sur. The rescue team flagged the vehicle of the two Mitsubishi van with plate number XTN 261 in an established check point which resulted to their arrest.

All the 60 live dogs were brought at the Animal Kingdom Foundation rescue center in Capas Tarlac for rehabilitation.

During the arraignment, the accused pleaded not guilty to the offense and challenged the prosecution. The prosecution invited AKF Senior Researcher Brando Gegway to offer his knowledge about the illegal business of the accused .The testimony regarding the surveillance conducted on the dog traders activities strengthened the case. Brando Gegway

Capas, Tarlac - The Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc. (AKF)., a local affiliate of the London-based International Wildlife Coalition Trust and Pet One Dog Food Company recently launched the Philippine version of Pet Adoptathon 2007 in the AKF Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Barangay Cub-Cub Municipality of Capas,Tarlac.

PET ADOPTATHON 2007 is a worldwide event first organized in 1995 by the North Shore Animal League America in the US and has since then placed 250,000 pets into loving homes. The affair was celebrated simultaneously worldwide last May 5-6, 2007.

It was a happy weekend at the AKF Rescue Center as the place was decked in festive decoration complete with music and an ice cream stand for the kids. All the residents of the Center including of course the 370 well-fed and happy rescued dogs await the first visitor as they came pouring in the gates.

The event was indeed successful with a total number of 25 dogs adopted making it a record of sorts in the country as no one can claim that many dogs were re-homed in a short span of time.

In fact, it was so successful that the organizers decided to make it an annual event!

As the great playwright and songwriter, Noel Coward once said "only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun"; this time however the locals braved the midday sun and showed their compassion for animals by bringing into their homes the rescued dogs that could have ended as pulutan. (LMBuenaflor, Jr.)

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The Animal Kingdom Foundation conducted a seizure operation on February 21, 2007 and was able to apprehend a delivery of one hundred dogs bound for slaughter, piled up inside a truck's cargo hold. The British Broadcasting Network composed of a producer / journalist and cameraman, who were supposed to do a feature on AKF's Animal Rehabilitation and Rescue Center in Capas, Tarlac witnessed the event. [Continue]