Friend,
My name is Greg, and I’m a Regional Investigator with the Animal Welfare Investigations Project. I’m writing to you from the Philippines, just hours after a rescue that I won’t forget.
Early this morning, alongside our colleagues in the Philippine National Police, we located a roadside dog meat slaughterhouse in Pangasinan. Inside, we found a young dog later named Theo.
Theo’s muzzle and nose were tied. He had been forced into a canvas sack by a dog meat trader. Today was brutally hot and humid, and inside that sack Theo was struggling to breathe. Our veterinarians believe he is just one year old.
If we had not intervened when we did — only minutes later — Theo would have been killed. He would have suffered a fatal beating to the head, then been strung up by his legs and blowtorched alive to create a so-called “crackling” delicacy.
A 71-year-old dog meat trader was arrested following today’s operation. But in cases like this, penalties are often weak — small fines, light sentences, and offenders walking free to do this again.
Because while Theo survived today, the reality is this: too many dogs don’t.
After the rescue, Theo was rushed straight to veterinarians. He is now safe, receiving care, and finally able to breathe freely. I’ll be sharing more with you soon as he begins to recover.
My team of informants, the Philippine National Police, and I are committed to stopping this trade. But lasting change only happens when cruelty is met with real consequences.
Your signature helps ensure this case is taken seriously, not quietly dismissed.
Thank you for standing with us, and for standing with Theo.
For Theo,
Greg Q.
Regional Investigator (Philippines)
Animal Welfare Investigations Project