Approximately 230 dogs were rescued in a dog fighting bust in Laguna on March 30, reports the Compassion And Responsibility for Animals (CARA) Welfare Philippines, a group dedicated to the plight of animals in the country. Eight Koreans who were part of a dog fighting syndicate were arrested. Six of them had allegedly been previously arrested at a similar operation in Cavite in December 2011. Officials said the syndicate supposedly earns around P1M per day from the fights, which they stream to Korea and possibly around the world through the Internet.
CARA Welfare Phils president Nancy Cu Unjieng, animal advocate Maria Parsons, and Island Rescue Organization (IRO) president Nena Hernandez said there were different breeds of pitbulls on site as well as mixed breed dogs. Many of them had scars and diseases, but there were also those that still looked healthy. Majority of the dogs were not aggressive and even looked to humans for touch and affection.
The dogs will be transferred to a secured area in an undisclosed location. IRO, a Cebu-based animal welfare group, has already offered to take 10 dogs as soon as veterinarians clear them. Meanwhile, CARA will be focusing on ensuring that the rehabilitation of the dogs goes smoothly.
You can help the dogs stay safe and healthy as well! Assist CARA through the following means:
1. For online donations through credit card or PayPal, click here. Scroll down to Emergency Donations, and note that it is for the Laguna Pit Bulls. Kindly e-mail your confirmation to francescaortigas@yahoo.com.
2. Cash or check donations may be deposited in any of the following accounts below. Please e-mail a copy of your validated deposit slip to francescaortigas@yahoo.com.
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Philippine Peso (PHP) Account # 3120-0031-42 (under personal names of Nancy Cu Unjieng and Francesca Ortigas; branch located at Atrium, Makati)
US Dollar (USD) Account # 3124-0417-66
Swift # bopiphmm
3. For donations in kind, please contact Homer at 521-0865 for information on where to bring these. They need the following:
- dog food (urgent as the current stock will run out by May 25),
- large stainless steel bowls,
- cleaning supplies (detergent, disinfectant, dish soap, and dog shampoo),
- garden hoses,
- buckets,
- trash bags,
- heavy duty collars, and
- leashes.
To see photos of some of the dogs and get more information, scroll through the gallery below.
(All photos courtesy of Maria Parsons)
