Popular La Trinidad restaurant faces multiple complaints after dog DNA found in meat sample

La Trinidad, Benguet – A restaurant owner in La Trinidad, Benguet, is facing multiple complaints after a lawyer and animal welfare advocate formally accused the establishment of allegedly serving dog meat to customers.

According to local media reports, Atty. Amadeo B. Degay received information that the restaurant was allegedly serving dog meat, prompting him to conduct his own investigation to verify the reports.

In a video reportedly taken by Degay during his visit to the establishment, one of the restaurant employees allegedly identified a menu item as dog meat.

To further verify his findings, Degay obtained a sample of the meat and submitted it to the National Meat Inspection Service-Cordillera for laboratory examination.

Laboratory results later reportedly detected the presence of dog DNA in the submitted sample.

Armed with the test results and supporting documents, Degay filed a sworn complaint-affidavit before the Benguet Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on June 3, 2026.

The complaints include alleged violations of Section 56 of Republic Act No. 9296, as amended by Republic Act No. 10536, or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines; Section 11(7) of Republic Act No. 9482, or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007; Article 40(a) of Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines; and Section 37(b) of Republic Act No. 10611, or the Food Safety Act of 2013.

The complaints are currently undergoing preliminary evaluation by prosecutors, who will determine whether sufficient grounds exist to file charges in court.

Authorities have withheld the name of the establishment pending the ongoing preliminary investigation.

As of this writing, the restaurant has yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations and the complaints filed before the prosecutor’s office.

It should be noted that the filing of a complaint does not constitute proof of guilt, and the respondents will be given the opportunity to answer the allegations as part of the legal process.