THE war against animal cruelty begins as we seek justice for Alejandro from Purok Katilingban, Barangay 40, Bacolod City.
Alejandro was a happy, playful domesticated dog of Vivian Vargas who was killed unremorsefully cold-blooded in front of its masters, her and her husband, together with the number of neighbors and children in their community, with a 2×2 lumber because the culprit suspected that his chickens were attacked and killed by the dog.
In state of shock and pity at what happened to their dog Alejandro, Vivian rushed crying to report the incident at Police Station 6, under the supervision of Police Major Leo Estopa-Station Commander, and to their punong barangay, Elmer Villanueva.
With the rampant animal cruelty cases in Bacolod City, the Community Animal Rescue Efforts (Care), a non-government organization, assisted Vivian to submit her sworn statement, which was notarized by the fiscal in-charge at the fiscal office together with her daughter and the police investigator.
Subpoena will be issued within 10 days, requiring the offender to submit a counter-affidavit. Failure to respond after the specified number of days, a warrant will be issued for his arrest for violation of Republic Act 8485, also known as the animal welfare act of 1998.
Bacolod City already has the City Ordinance 544, an ordinance establishing dog owners’ responsibility, requiring enclosures or fenced yard for pet dogs as a preventive measure against occurrences of rabies, injury, damage, and other hazards that should be strongly implemented to protect the safety of our domesticated pets and the human victims of irresponsible pet ownership.
As per the statement of the punong barangay,, he does not tolerate such action as we have a law that needs to be followed and implemented, which is the Animal Welfare act RA 8485 amended by RA 10631. And filling a case against the guilty will set an example to others that animal cruelty has consequences.
Barangay education and awareness against animal cruelty should be available to the community to stop the stigma and prejudice.