Thousands of dogs and their owners took part in a walk along Manila's bayside boulevard on Sunday to protest against cruelty to canines in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, dogs are frequently killed and cooked for consumption. The "Dog Walk for a Cause" was organized by the Philippine Canine Club, Inc, an association of dog owners and breeders.

The event gave the dog lovers an opportunity to voice their protest against "the mindless cruelty and random slaughter of dogs," a spokesperson for the Philippine Canine Club stated.

According to reports, more than 3,000 dogs and their owners participated in the protest in Manila.

The organizers claimed that 4,000 dogs in at least 20 other provinces also turned up simultaneously to express solidarity.

The organizers went on to claim that the "Dog Walk for a Cause" broke the world record set on June 20,2004, in England, when 5,017 dogs participated in a dog walk, although the claim couldn't be independently confirmed.

Cruelty to dogs is rampant throughout Philippines.

The Philippine Canine Club members said that the dogs are kept in cramped cages and slaughtered to be sold as meat. stray dogs are oftern shot to death and others are roasted alive.