A composite photo of Yoda the dog and Balay Dako in Tagaytay, Philippines. ARCHIVE

In a viral incident sparking heated online debates, Filipino restaurant Balay Dako has come under fire for allegedly discriminating against a local dog breed, the aspin, despite advertising itself as a "pet-friendly" establishment. The controversy began when dog owner Lara Antonio recounted her experience with her aspin, Yoda, who was initially permitted entry but was later denied due to alleged size restrictions. Antonio, in a now widely shared social media post, questioned the restaurant’s unclear definition of a "medium-sized dog." According to the restaurant’s manager, medium-sized dogs weigh between 10 to 15 kilograms, a rule that was not outlined in their official pet guidelines. Antonio pointed out that her dog, weighing 18 kilograms, did not vastly exceed the stated limit. When she asked the manager to show evidence of this policy online, she was told it was only mentioned on Facebook. The incident sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many accusing the restaurant of "breed discrimination" against the aspin, or asong Pinoy, a mixed-breed native dog in the Philippines. Several netizens expressed disappointment that the restaurant allowed larger foreign breeds, such as Labradors, while excluding the aspin. ALSO READ: Why Filipino native dogs Aspin are a national treasure The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) quickly responded, condemning the restaurant’s actions and emphasizing the need to treat all dogs with respect, regardless of their breed. “Actions like this reflect a troubling disregard for the respect and dignity that all animals deserve,” PAWS stated. Balay Dako has since acknowledged the backlash and released a public statement reaffirming their commitment to being a pet-friendly establishment. The restaurant promised to review their pet policy to ensure it is fair and inclusive, stating, “We are reviewing our policies to make sure they accommodate both pet owners and non-pet owners.” Despite the restaurant’s efforts to address the issue, netizens remained divided. Some criticized the size restrictions as arbitrary, pointing out that the restaurant’s basement area is specifically designed for pet owners, making the exclusion of Yoda questionable.

Heart Evangelista invites Yoda to tea with Panda

In a heartwarming twist, actress and pet lover Heart Evangelista joined the conversation by offering Yoda an invitation to tea with her dog, Panda. Evangelista, a known advocate for aspins, used the moment to show support for local breeds and highlighted the importance of equal treatment for all dogs. ICA/Expat Media
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