Pet Peeve: Issues of Animal Cruelty and Discrimination in the Philippines

 

There are posts circulating online where people jokingly name pets when asked about their pet peeves, taking the word "pet" literally.

While many find solace in the companionship of pets, there are unfortunately instances where the care and comfort the pets can give are met with cruelty and neglect.

With these horrific scenarios, who can say to humans who treat these animals' lives as a joke that they are the real pet peeves?

On September 17, a content creator surfaced as a pet peeve of the netizens due to a video that was uploaded online and caused widespread outrage. Ramil Ballaran, a resident from Albay, threw a cat into the river, which deeply distressed the Facebook online community as they shared screen recordings of the incident.

Based on the report of GMA Integrated News, the video was intended for online content to become viral, which in turn really achieved its aim, and just a day later, they were thrown into a river of bashing and punishment.

 

"It's infuriating to see how someone could treat a living, breathing animal like a toy. Throwing a cat into a beach, no matter the reason, is not just irresponsible—it's cruel," a netizen commented.

 

Within hours of the video going viral, the Tabaco Animal Rescue and Adoption (TAARA) rescued the cat and filed a complaint against the individuals responsible for the cruelty. Ballaran and his friend, who took the video, were taken into custody by the Sto. Domingo Municipal Police coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officers since they were still minors. 

 

 

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) reports a high conviction rate of approximately 95-98% in cases involving animal cruelty, especially against dogs and cats.

Another incident that garnered significant online attention was the tragic death of Killua, a three-year-old golden retriever. Killua was killed by Anthony Solares, a barangay tanod in Camarines Sur, in March of this year. This senseless act sparked outrage and a widespread campaign demanding justice for the innocent dog.

Solares claimed that he killed Killua because the dog chased him, despite CCTV footage suggesting otherwise. The dog's owner, together with PAWS, filed a case against Solares, arguing that his reasons, including the dog's positive rabies test, were insufficient justification to kill the dog.

Meanwhile, Balay Dako, a restaurant in Tagaytay, enraged the netizens online due to the post of a fur parent who was prohibited by the restaurant to bring her aspin named Yoda to enter the supposed 'pet-friendly' restaurant.

 

Expressing her anger in a Facebook post, Lara L. Antonio, Yoda's fur mom, said that they were not allowed to enter because of the dog’s breed. On the contrary, a Labrador, which is bigger than Yoda, was able to enter the place.

 

In their apology statement posted on Facebook, Balay Dako said that it is also important to consider the space and safety of the individuals inside.

 

"As a company that loves animals, we understand the importance of accommodating pets. However, we must also consider factors such as spacing and the safety of all our guests," the restaurant said. 

Aside from these cases, another disturbing video shared by a concerned citizen on GMA Regional TV surfaced from La Trinidad, Benguet, showing individuals slaughtering dogs to be served as a side dish during drinking sessions.

Unfortunately, despite the existence of laws that penalize animal abuse, such hostility against them remains persistent. 

These cases are just a few of numerous blatant disregard for animal welfare, proving that some people will stop at nothing to challenge the law and harm innocent beings.

It seems like even with an existing law against animal cruelty, some individuals still believe they can evade consequences, emboldened by a sense of impunity.

Pursuant to Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by Republic Act 10631, "it shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance of shelter, or maltreat any animal, or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance, or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare."

 

The law also states that only cattle, goats, poultry, carabaos, pigs, sheep, rabbits, and horses are allowed to be killed unless it is done for the following:

 

• Religious rituals

• Incurable communicable diseases

• Necessary to put an end to the misery suffered

• To prevent imminent danger

• Animal population control

• Authorized research experiments

 

Individuals who subject animals to cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect could face up to two years in prison and a fine of P100,000. The severity of the punishment depends on the extent of the harm caused to the animal.

 

 

In cases of animal neglect and cruelty, any individual who witnessed the act can report it to the proper authorities, said the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

 

"When witnessing animal cruelty, which includes ‘dog katay [slaughter]’ or someone directly inflicting harm to an animal, stop the offender immediately and then call 911 or the barangay. Posting on social media is not the same as reporting to the authorities. By the time your post reaches the authorities, it will be too late,"  PAWS stated on their website.

 

PAWS also encouraged individuals to educate pet owners on how to be responsible for their pets because pet neglect, which is considered maltreatment, is also punishable by law.

 

"First, try the friendly approach and educate the pet owner on responsible pet ownership. If the behavior continues, you must gather evidence, such as photos and videos showing a pattern of neglect, and execute a witness affidavit. This is the only time that PAWS or the authorities can confiscate the neglected pet," PAWS added. 

However, based on the Animal Welfare Act, there is no mention of how an individual can report if there is obvious cruelty that happened to an animal, specifically to stray animals, but there is no evidence like videos during the act.

 

Moreover, discrimination against animals like what is in the case of Yoda is not part of the reasons why an individual can be punished.

Senate Bill 2458 or the Revised Animal Welfare Act, is currently under consideration. This legislation aims to strengthen animal welfare protections by mandating animal welfare education in primary and secondary schools and establishing barangay animal welfare task forces.

 

 

In the case of the cat in the video, Killua, Yado, and the numerous cases of animal cruelty, who is the real beast?

 

Humans are considered the most superior beings – possessing capabilities that animals lack. Yet, what sets these innocent creatures on par with humans is the kindness and compassion that humans should possess, especially towards the innocent.

 

Perhaps if only these animals could also trend a "What is your pet peeve?" they might answer with the names of these individuals who commit cruelty, neglect, and discrimination to those they consider as pets.