A one-year-old dog rescued from the dog meat trade, just minutes before he was killed.
On the morning of Tuesday 13 January 2026, in Pangasinan, Philippines, investigators from the Animal Welfare Investigations Project, working alongside the Philippine National Police, rescued a young dog we’ve named Theo from a roadside slaughterhouse.
Theo’s muzzle and nose were tied. He had been forced into a canvas sack in extreme heat and humidity. He was struggling to breathe.
Veterinarians believe Theo is just one year old.
If investigators had arrived only minutes later, Theo would have been beaten to death, strung up by his legs, and blowtorched alive to create a so-called “crackling” delicacy.
Theo survived because investigators moved in time.
A 71-year-old dog meat trader was arrested following the rescue operation, but too often, cases like this end with weak penalties that fail to deter future abuse.
Add your name now to demand justice for Theo and the strongest possible jail sentence under the law.
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