A MEMBER of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Intelligence Unit has to do more than apologize to prove that he is an officer and gentleman.
PO1 Ronaldo Napigkit’s behavior towards a dog and his neighbor is being probed by the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) after Napigkit’s neighbor, Rosalie Mahinay, filed a complaint against him for allegedly shooting her dog, Meljay, at least four times last month.
Sun.Star Cebu’s Kevin A. Lagunda reported last Feb. 26 that the RIDMD’s investigation will include testing Napigkit’s firearm and determining if he fired this outside the line of duty, a violation.
Tarnish
Napigkit’s apology was not accepted by Mahinay, who said she wants to teach him a lesson for always using his gun to settle their differences. She said that last October, Napigkit shot Meljay in the eye, blinding her. Mahinay told Napigkit’s superiors that she feared he would be targeting his neighbors next.
Napigkit admitted he fired at the dog. He claimed that he did not intend to kill it.
A police officer’s abuse of authority, specially the misuse of his service firearm, to settle a personal grievance is alarming, raising doubts about the officer’s personal and professional maturity.
It tarnishes the image of the police as a protector of the defenseless and upholder of peace and order. One questions the intelligence and self-control of an officer who fires during several occasions at a defenseless animal that has not even attacked him.
Decency, compassion and discipline are qualities the public expects from its
guardians.
One who has sworn to serve the public should know and avoid violating the law, particularly Republic Act 8485, also known as The Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
Sensitivity
The police officer has to be more sensitive to animal rights in speech as well as in his actuations.
Napigkit told Sun.Star Cebu he even cried when his “askal” died years ago. The owner of a Labrador, Napigkit said he has a phobia against certain kinds of dogs.
A phobia against Philippine native dogs can never justify cruelty to “aspins (asong Pinoy)”. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (Paws) has a “Beauty Beyond Breed” campaign that seeks to change stereotypes of the “aspin” and educate more Filipinos about these intelligent, loyal and protective dogs.
The use of the word “askal (asong kalye)” betrays the bias against strays and mongrels, including street cats. In its “Homeless Not Worthless” campaign, Paws seeks to make the public aware of the plight of animals on the streets.
Pet owners who resent the cost and responsibilities of their pets’ young often resort to “pagligaw,” which is the practice of dumping animals in distant places so that these will have difficulty returning home. Some are more cruel, drowning newborns in a sack or leaving them by a busy road. According to Paws, responsible owners spay or neuter pets to prevent them from reproducing.
Being responsible as a pet owner means accepting that a pet is a lifetime commitment, not just a passing fancy. Feeding one’s pets, leashing them when they are taken for a walk in the neighborhood, and picking up their waste to keep streets clean smoothen
relations between pet owners and other members of the community.
However, should there be any grievance against a pet, the involved parties should settle the conflict in a rational, civilized manner or arrive at a compromise with the mediation of barangay officials. There is no justification for being cruel to animals, no matter the aggravation. Section 6 of RA 8485 details specific instances when the killing of animals is lawful.
Paws also encourages the public to adopt formerly homeless or maltreated animals from animal shelters. Rather than buy from a pet shop or a breeder, people should adopt a rescued and rehabilitated dog or cat needing a good home.
While many balk at complaining against a cop, Mahinay, a laundry woman, took up the cudgels for Meljay. RA 8485 does not only prohibit neglect, torture or maltreatment of animals. It also obligates citizens to act and intervene when an animal’s welfare is compromised.
“No life is worthless,” urges the Paws.