The Continuing Saga of Dog Killua

Last week I wrote about the reaction of politicians to the death of a dog named Killua. I noted that his death is merely the tip of a large iceberg of animal abuse in the Philippines. Now, the story continues. It turns out Killua tested positive for rabies. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1922680/slaughtered-dog-killua-tested-positive-for-rabies-says-paws

The slaughtered golden retriever in Camarines Sur tested positive for rabies, according to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

PAWS Director Anna Cabrera told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview on Monday that this was based on the test conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) over the weekend.

However, Cabrera noted that several factors may affect the test result.

“While the result of the testing may not be accurate due to the fact that the body had already been buried for five days prior to testing and may have been contaminated from being in an area where many stray dogs have already been slaughtered, PAWS is making this announcement to ensure that any bites or scratches will be reported promptly in the interest of public health and safety,” Cabrera said in a statement.

Cabrera said they also immediately informed the owner, who is now considered at risk for the virus after hugging “the bloodied body of her beloved dog when she found him at a known dog slaughter area.”

The standard protocol for a suspected rabid animal is for it to “be observed for fourteen (14) days or, in case of highly suspected rabies cases, be humanely euthanized with no damage to the head,” according to the BAI’s Manual of Procedure for Rabies.

Cabrera also learned that Solares owned a carinderia, but she clarified to INQUIRER.net that it could not be determined if they were selling dog meat.

But she noted that “Solares owns a carinderia business which sells meat viands near the dog slaughter area.”

Arazas, as well as consumers of stray dogs in the area, should get post-exposure vaccines, said PAWS.

The results "may have been contaminated from being in an area where many stray dogs have already been slaughtered." In an interview with News5Everywhere Dr. Josen Sumeldan says this is impossible because the rabies virus needs a living host. 

But how would Killua contract rabies if, as the owner claims, Killua was an inside dog?

(Killua doesn’t even go outside, and it might have been stressed by the environment outside because it was used to staying inside the house.)

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/901013/dog-beaten-to-death-by-neighbor-in-camarines-sur/story/

Perhaps the owner is being less than truthful? In the same interview with Dr. Josen Sumeldan the owner claims the dog was not properly vaccinated as the vaccine was not administered by a veterinarian.

The ones who called for the vaccine like him, my brother was the only one who injected since they are also in the health field and they also have knowledge in injecting. Although it's really wrong to inject yourself because only licensed vets with data do that.

Cleary this lady has made some questionable decisions. What else is she not telling?

The other thing here is that the dog was killed "in an area where many stray dogs have already been slaughtered" for food. PAWS is not sure if Anthony Solares was selling dog meat but they are filing a case against him anyway. 

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2024/03/25/272584/paws-file-case-killua-killer-dog-meat-trading/

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society or PAWS on Monday said that it is filing a criminal complaint against Anthony Solares, the man who ended Killua‘s life, for violating the law that prohibits people from engaging in the dog meat trade.

The non-profit organization on Monday confirmed that Solares brought the pet dog to a “known slaughterhouse and dog meat cooking area” after killing the animal who was found lifeless in a sack on March 17.

It added that he “owns a carinderia business which sells meat viands near the dog slaughter area.”

Killua was previously found lifeless in a sack by his owner, Vina Rachelle Arazas, after Solares led them to their pet following the incident.

Some internet users who saw the posts, including those claiming to live near Bato, Camarines Sur, claimed the suspect had darker intentions.

“In-anxiety ako [niyan] kahapon. Actually, it’s near my hometown. And they are known to kill dogs for them to cook and eat. [Sabi] din ng mga kakilala ko, kaya siya nasa sako kasi [kakatayin] na at [lulutuin] na. I deactived my FB [Facebook] because of that,” TikTok user @user81227158815 wrote before.

In a separate interview, Solares denied both sacking the dog and having intentions to cook it. He also said he did not intend to kill the animal, claiming he only did it to defend people from getting bitten by the dog.

Meanwhile, PAWS said it is filing a complaint against Solares for violating Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, which prohibits trading dogs for meat.

It also called on those who may have consumed dog meat coming from the area where Killua’s body was found to get post-exposure shots.

“They are at great risk. Dog meat traders are not only cruel people but pose a serious threat to public health,” the org said.

So, people are aware there is a “known slaughterhouse and dog meat cooking area” and they say nothing until now? Or perhaps complaints were lodged and the barangay and the PNP simply did not care enough to investigate. It turns out that Anthony Solares is a barangay kagawad.

PAWS, along with the dog’s owner, Vina Rachelle Arazas, lodged a complaint against Kagawad Anthony Solares at the Provincial Prosecution Office of Camarines Sur.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1922833/paws-on-filing-case-against-killuas-killer

Rappler says Solares is merely a barangay tanod.

Last week, Killua’s case sparked outrage in social media, after it was reported that the golden retriever was allegedly killed by Solares, a barangay tanod.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/killua-owner-sues-golden-retriever-killer/

Either way this story has taken a dark and disgusting turn and my original statement remains. The killing of dog Killua is the tip of an animal abuse iceberg in the Philippines. And it includes slaughtering dogs for food. 

The Killing of Dog Killua is The Tip of An Animal Abuse Iceberg

The recent killing of a beloved golden retriever has sparked outrage across the nation. A neighbor was caught on CCTV chasing the dog before he killed it. The video spread virally on social media even reaching the eyeballs of the inutile politicians who govern the Philippines. Their solution? More laws!!

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/03/21/2342174/killing-dog-killua-slammed

Animal welfare education should be mandated for elementary and high school students after the killing of Golden Retriever “Killua,” according to Sen. Grace Poe.

On March 17, Camarines Sur resident Anthony Solares killed the dog, claiming that Killua was aggressive.

The act was caught in a closed-circuit television footage posted on social media by Killua’s owner Vina Rachelle Arazas. Solares was seen hitting the dog as it ran around trying to escape.

The dog’s remains were later found in a sack.

“I am heartbroken and enraged to hear of the mauling of Killua, a golden retriever. Mr. Anthony Solares admitted to slaughtering Killua, claiming that the dog chased his child. However, his actions, which were captured in a CCTV video, were fraught with excessive violence and showed that it was Killua who was being chased,” Poe said in her privilege speech on Tuesday.

In Senate Bill 2458 that Poe filed, the “Revised Animal Welfare Act” shall include mandatory animal welfare education in the curriculum for primary and secondary education students.

“We hope to pass this bill soon and put an end to despicable incidents such as what happened to Killua,” she added.

Members of the House of Representatives condemned the killing of Killua, with lawmakers calling for amendments to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

“I think it would be the best time for us to revisit this law. The maximum penalty of imprisonment for the violation, for instance, on the killing of an animal is six months to one year of imprisonment, with the penalty or a fine of not exceeding P100,000,” said Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Bongalon.

He also urged the Philippine Animal Welfare Society to raise awareness of laws against animal cruelty.

“What should be done? Perhaps we can empower our (local government units) in enforcing this law. It is because they are the ones at the grassroots level,” House Deputy Speaker David Suarez told legislative reporters at a briefing.

“I would understand maybe if he scared the dog. But to kill the animal already speaks of the motive, that there is really an intent to end the life of that animal. To me, it is tantamount to straight-up murder,” said Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario.

It should not need to be said but, "Laws DO NOT prevent crime."

The fact is animal abuse happens all the time in the Philippines and no one cares. The only reason anyone care about Killua is because of the CCTV footage and the pictures of him celebrating his birthday in a tuxedo bib. For every Killua there are other unnamed animals who's death goes unchampioned.

Take for instance the abuse of a cats. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/901314/cat-found-shot-in-head-with-an-arrow-in-davao-city/story/

A cat was shot in the head with a bow and arrow in Davao City, according to the report of GMA News Regional TV One Mindanao on "State of the Nation" Thursday.

The cat was rescued and rushed to the veterinary clinic by a concerned citizen for an emergency operation.

The surgical procedure was complicated as the arrow hit the cat’s brain. The operation on the cat was eventually declared successful.

The person who shot the cat remains unidentified.

Meanwhile, a house cat was found allegedly bludgeoned to death at an alley in Naga City.

Based on statements from residents, there had already been multiple incidents of house cats being killed within the area.

Barangay officials are working on identifying the suspect behind the string of cases of animal cruelty.

In Davao someone shot an arrow into a cat's head. In Naga City a cat was found bludgeoned to death being one of a number of killed cats in the area.

In Cavite cats at the local pound had to resort to cannibalism.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/901107/cavite-pound-probed-over-cat-cannibalism/story/

A barangay-run animal pound in Dasmariñas, Cavite is under investigation for animal neglect after a video surfaced of cats eating the bodies of their fellow felines.

In a report by Darlene Cay in Unang Balita on Wednesday, a concerned resident made the grisly discovery after she went to the pound to help her friend find a pet cat.

(I became confused because it was the first time I saw something like that. I was very angry and upset. I ended up crying.)

Yvette suspected that the cats in the pound were not adequately fed, so they could do nothing but eat each other. Based on the video, some cats appeared weak, their water bowls were dirty and there was no food inside their cages either.

Yvette said they talked to the barangay chairman, who agreed to transfer the cats to a shelter, but he said she was shocked when the 20 cats were released the next day.

Still, the barangay captain maintains they did not abandon the cats and fed them twice daily.

(The truth is that I have two caretakers of the cats but we still can't watch them for 24 hours, so when they noticed the cats being fed they would end up fighting.)

The people at the cat pound suspected that three cats died because of fighting. They said the more aggressive ones ate the dead cats.

According to the veterinarian Dr. Ferds Recio, extreme hunger may be the reason for the cannibalistic behavior. He said that cats are natural hunters.

(It can be due to starvation since they don't have any food. It is also true that they will kill their fellow cats for them to eat. It doesn't mean that one hundred percent they have nothing to eat, so they will kill their partner. It is possible, but it is not one hundred percent sure.)

If it is proven that cats were neglected or abused, the barangay officials can be held responsible for violating the Animal Welfare Act.

There are also reports from time to time of tricycle drivers being apprehended for collecting dogs set to be slaughtered and eaten. The point here is that no law is going to stop animal abuse in the Philippines. Abuse happens because some people simply do not care about the well being of animals. 

This issue is not much different from the weekly slaughter of current and former political officials. Once in a while the violence is recognized at the national level and passionate speeches condemning the violence and calling for an investigation are made in Congress but for the most part it is an endemic problem about which no one cares. Stopping animal abuse in the Philippines will take a huge cultural shift and that is nowhere in the cards at this point. 

Innocent Dog Stabbed to Death in Case of Mistaken Identity

The Philippines' stray dog problem is a litany of preventable tragedies and outrageous actions. Here is another story from the streets that can be told "Only in the Philippines."

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/12/korean-national-biten-by-stray-dog-arrested-for-killing-dog-in-manila

A Korean national who was bitten by a stray dog was arrested after he stabbed to death another dog in Malate, Manila, police said on Tuesday, March 12. 

The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the suspect as Jung Seong Ho, 42. He was arrested on Saturday, March 9. 

Prior to his arrest, the police said the Korean was bitten by a stray dog while walking around Remedios Street, Barangay 700 in Malate, at around 4:10 a.m. 

They said the suspect went inside a grill house in the area and asked for assistance in cleaning up the wound on his feet.

When he entered the grill house, he saw Ericka, a pet dog, sitting beside Angelo Bueno, the restaurant's waiter. 

Bueno and another waiter at the grill house immediately assisted the suspect and brought him inside the establishment's comfort room to wash his wound. 

However, after cleaning his wound, the police said the suspect took a knife from the kitchen and went outside where the other dogs started barking at him. 

Ericka, the pet dog, also went outside. When the suspect saw this, he cornered the dog and stabbed it four times with the kitchen knife, leading to the dog’s immediate death. 

After stabbing Ericka, police said the suspect also stabbed another stray dog before throwing the knife away and running back inside the restaurant's comfort room. 

A Korean who was walking around at 4 in the morning was bit on his foot by a stray dog. He ran into a grill house to ask for help cleaning his wound and saw another dog, Ericka, inside. He then took a knife from the kitchen and ran outside where the other stray dogs started barking at him. Ericka also ran outside prompting the Korean national to corner the dog and stab it four times.

But Ericka was not the dog which bit him. 

A statement from barangay personnel hints that if he had stabbed the dog who bit him there would have been no fault. 

Barangay personnel Anthony Rodejo said that the suspect stabbed the wrong dog.

“The Korean's fault is that he stabbed another dog, not the one that bit him,” he said. 

The suspect was arrested after personnel of the Remedios Police Community Precinct (PCP) passed by the area and responded to the incident. 

MPD Chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said the suspect possibly got irritated which drove him to stab the dogs in the area. 

Ibay said that the suspect was given anti-rabies medication before he was brought to the police station. 

He is now under the custody of the MPD and  is facing charges for violation of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and malicious mischief.

Maybe Anthony Rodejo misspoke when he said  in saying "the Korean's fault is that he stabbed another dog, not the one that bit him." Maybe what he really means is that his fault is he stabbed a dog. Or perhaps it is legal to kill a dog who bit you? 

Likewise MPD Chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay's comment is equally asinine. Of course Jung Seong Ho was irritated. A stray dog bit him! How many times in the past was he forced to stave off stray dogs? Stray dogs are all over the place and they are not all friendly. 

Once more this is another tragedy that is easily preventable if the local government had the will to do so. Simply round up the stray dogs. It's that easy.  

Cebu City to Round up Stray Dogs for Sinulog

Stray dogs are a huge problem in the Philippines. It seems the problem is so out of hand that nothing can be done. However, that is not the case as shown by the City of Cebu.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/550542/stray-dogs-to-be-impounded-for-safety-during-fiesta-senor-sinulog-festival

Stray dogs in Cebu City are being impounded by the Cebu City Veterinary Department for safety of both dogs and attendees during the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival 2024.

Doctor Jessica Maribojoc, the head of the Cebu City Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, mentioned that dogs without owners and deemed as nuisances in the community will be removed, as the safety of both dogs and the community is crucial during the celebration of the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival.

"On our part with the government, those that we took, based on the report or based on the request, are the ones to take and then I mentioned that it is possible that he (dog) is a stray. Whether it is in our ordinance that 12 meters away from the owners or there are no owners, we can get it," Maribojoc said in an interview on Frinday, January 12.

Cebu City is rounding up dogs for Sinulog in the name of safety. They say "the safety of both dogs and the community is crucial" during the upcoming celebration. But what about the rest of the year? Is not the safety of dogs and the community crucial al year round? Why does the city allow these dogs to roam?

Even though the city is rounding up dogs for some of them it will be far from safe. 

Dogs that are impounded and not claimed within two weeks may be considered for euthanasia if they become sick.

For context, euthanasia is the practice of ending the life of a patient to alleviate their suffering.

However, dogs that remain unclaimed in the pound for more than two weeks but remain healthy have a “possibility” of becoming candidates for adoption.

Two weeks and then death for some of these dogs. Sad but at least it shows the problem of stray dogs can be dealt with. In fact it is the city's duty to take care of this problem.

Maribojoc said this is a request from several barangays and also their duty as an indirect part of the Sinulog cluster.

Less stray dogs means less garbage all over the place, less rabies cases, less bites, and a safer community. Why wait until a festival and allow the problem to compound exponentially?

This story proves the Philippine government has the power to make the nation safe. What it lacks is the will to do so. 

Sleeping Dog Run Over by Armored Vehicle

A dog sleeping in the street was run over by an armored vehicle and the animal rescue organization Purpaws decided to write about it from the perspective of the dog. Let's take a look. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1722083/pet-rescue-organization-says-armored-car-hit-killed-sleeping-dog-in-gensan

An organization rescuing distressed pets and animals said that an armored car is now being tracked down for running over a sleeping dog in front of a house in General Santos City and speeding away as if nothing happened.

In a post from People United to Rescue Pets that are Abused, Wasted, and Sick (Purpaws) on Thursday, it was stated that Doggo, a dog that people from Barangay Lagao were familiar with as it usually hangs out at a local fast food chain, died after being run over by an armored car with body number 3285.

The dog hangs out at a local fast food chain? What is he the Fonz?  Hanging out? More like begging for scraps! It's not The Max and he ain't Zack Morris. He is Doggo which is a generic name you give a dog you don't care about. 

Purpaws said the dog was lying in front of its owner’s house when the incident happened.  The owner ran after the armored car, but the driver involved did not mind, instead managed to escape.

Great googly moogly!  The dog was LYING IN FRONT OF ITS OWNER'S HOUSE rather than  inside the house or the gate at least? Why did his owner allow the dog to sleep in the street?

“I was just lying on the ground having my nap at around 9:00 am in front of our humble store when an armored car number 3285 colored beige casually ran over me […] If I was a person lying on that same spot where I was, do you think the driver of the armored car with body number 3285 kill me? Just because I was a dog, the driver mercilessly killed me,” Purpaws, speaking on behalf of Doggo, said.

Maybe if you were a person lying in the middle of the street then yeah perhaps the armored vehicle would have run over you. How the heck was this dog lying in front of his owner's store and still got run over UNLESS the store is right on the road? That is another huge danger in the Philippines. Many stores and houses are right on the road and as a result have been plowed into and destroyed by wayward vehicles. 

“My owner saw what happened and he ran after the armored car but they did not even apologize. Then I was put in a sack and someone saw the opportunity to get my body and turn me into a meal. Someone from PURPAWS saw this and she didn’t waste time to check what happened to me. When she saw my lifeless body she immediately took me from the person who wanted me for a meal and warned him,” the group added.

Like Superman appearing at the slightest hint of trouble someone from PURPAWS saw the whole thing and prevented a would-be gourmand from feasting on this fine specimen of dog.  Think of the scene! The dog gets hit and the owner runs after the vehicle. The dog is then stuffed into a sack and some passerby attempts to steal the bag so he can cook up a tasty meal but he is stopped by a representative pf PURPAWS who just happened to be in the vicinity. 

According to the group, Doggo was bought to a nearby veterinary clinic for autopsy, where the veterinarian said the cause of death is blunt force trauma.

Oh really? The dog died from blunt force trauma?? NO KIDDING!!! Did they have to cut the dog open and give a proper autopsy to render that verdict?  

“After my necropsy I was brought to a tranquil place where I was given a decent burial.   My owner was assisted by the organization to file a blotter report to the Traffic Enforcement Unit. TEU forwarded the complaint to the Land Transportation Office for the record,” Purpaws said.

“The organization is now hunting the armored car with body number 3285 in beige color.  Will you help them? So that I get justice for my death…I was only taking my morning nap, why? What have I done to you people?” it added.

Hit-and-run incidents involving pet animals like dogs are not rare in the country: just this December 2022, singer and former youth commissioner Ice Seguerra was devastated after learning that his pet was killed in a hit-and-run incident.

Yeah no kidding hit-and-run incidents involving dogs are not rare in the Philippines! Neither are dog bites or death from rabid dog bites. That is because the Philippines has a massive stray dog problem. Now, this dog was not a stray and that presents us with a whole other problem which is that too many owners let their dogs out to roam the streets all day and night. It's not enough that they open the gate so they can go do their business but they are hanging out at their favorite restaurants and then being forced to sleep outside IN THE STREET. Sometimes the dog is never allowed in but lives its life in the street as if it were a stray. 

It's not surprising this dog got killed and it would not be surprising if the driver did not see a sleeping dog curled up in the street. The bottom line is dog owners are as much to blame as drivers when it comes to  their dogs being killed by vehicles. 

Dog Owner Neglects 101 Dogs at Private Shelter

A dog's life is tough in the Philippines. Owners will let you run about all day which sometimes results in you getting struck by a vehicle. Sometimes a crazy owner will harm one of your brethren. In this case the crazy owner corralled 101 dogs at her house as a private shelter and instead of taking care of them she  abandoned them to die. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1776545/sick-abandoned-dogs-in-cebu-city-face-death

At least 77 abandoned dogs in this city may have to be euthanized due to their deteriorating health condition.

Dr. Jessica Maribojoc, the Cebu City veterinarian, said these dogs were among the 101 canines the Cebu City government rescued from an abandoned animal shelter in the mountain village of Adlaon two weeks ago after their owner left them sometime in February this year.

Of the 101 dogs, 16 had died while eight others were healthy and were qualified for adoption.

“I hope people will understand that we have to lessen the agony of these dogs. They came from a very stressful environment and now they are in this kind of situation that is very taxing,” Maribojoc told the Inquirer on Monday.

She said the rescued dogs were very weak and sickly since they had not eaten for probably a month.

“In fact, some of them killed other dogs just to survive,” Maribojoc said.

This is a very tragic situation right here. A single owner was running a private animal shelter with 101 dogs! How was this allowed to happen? How does one acquire 101 dogs? Clearly she had no money to feed them or to keep them healthy. And then she cruelly walks away leaving them to their fate.  

Based on the information they gathered, she said the rescued dogs were fed by the shelter’s caretaker for three months using personal money even without any salary.

However, she said the caretaker eventually left the dogs. Since they were already very weak and sick, the remaining dogs have to be euthanized.

Maribojoc, however, assured the public that the sick dogs will be euthanized in a rapid, painless and stress-free death.

Instead of exposing the animals to carbon monoxide, she said they would adopt a system where the dogs will simply be put to sleep.

Maribojoc said the city government had postponed the euthanasia of these dogs several times, hoping that some people would come over to adopt some of the dogs.

“I appeal to dog lovers who have enough space at home to visit the Cebu City dog pound to possibly adopt some of these dogs,” she said.

Maribojoc reminded those who wanted to rescue animals and put them at home to coordinate with the Cebu City government. Those who have more than 10 dogs must inform the city government and have their pets listed at the Bureau of Animal Industry, she added.

Republic Act No. 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act states that if a dog is captured, the city pound has the authority to fine the owner or to euthanize the dog if they are not claimed within the holding period, which is usually within one day to a week from capture.

Surely the community knew of this private shelter with 101 dogs.  You can't hide that kind of smell or sound. 

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of humane treatment of all animals, said euthanizing unclaimed animals in a pound after the holding period remains legal in the country.

The group, on its website, however, stressed that the government must employ humane methods when catching and performing euthanasia on animals.

The most humane way to euthanize an animal, it said, is through barbiturates, a kind of depressant or sedative drug. Other methods, such as gassing or electrocution, are inhumane and illegal, PAWS said.

Gassing was formerly used to kill dogs by connecting the hose from a vehicle’s exhaust pipe and revving the engine continuously for 10 to 15 minutes, emitting poisonous fumes and sending the dogs to death.

“We have very little influence on what happens in city pounds, but PAWS will take action if there is evidence of inhumane methods or acts of animal cruelty taking place in an animal pound,” it said.

Running a hose from a car to a room filled with dogs seems rather cartoonish and ridiculous. Would they be using a government vehicle? A private vehicle? Maybe they will call a taxi? 

Of course breathing in toxic fumes and slowly drifting away is less violent than being shot in the head which is what happens sometimes in Philippine animal shelters. 

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3095186/animal-shelters-full-millions-stray-dogs-and-cats-roam-philippines-one

Vet and clinic founder Maricelle Licuanan, 41, says some strays in the Philippines were born on the streets, while others are abandoned family pets.

“Once these animals become an inconvenience to the owners, they are neglected or tossed onto the streets. Most of them are intact [unsterilised] so they mate with other strays and more unwanted animals are born. Sadly, it’s a never-ending cycle,” says Licuanan, whose clinic desexed more than 60,000 animals between March 2017 and July 18, 2020. 

Malou Perez, 30, is the founder of Pawssion Project, a Filipino dog rescue charity, and she believes letting animals die on the streets or shooting them dead in pounds is far more cruel than having them desexed in a painless operation.

“Based on the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines, it is legal for city pounds to euthanise unclaimed dogs by gunshot,” she says. “The government authorises this because using a firearm is cheaper than using other procedures. 

“When I went to the pound in 2018 to rescue dogs that were about to be executed, I saw how horrible the situation was,” she adds. “I was standing right next to a hole where the dogs were to be buried. It was very traumatising. I remember fiddling with my phone to distract myself from the dogs whimpering out of desperation and anguish. I had to go into the cells to calm them down. It was awful.”

Indeed death by gunshot is one of the few legal and acceptable means by which an animal is allowed to be euthanized in the Philippines.

https://paws.org.ph/downloads/AO%209%20and%20%20AO%2013%20Euthanasia%20of%20Animals.pdf

While only a licensed veterinarian is allowed to euthanize an animal when it comes to the gunshot method a person skilled in firearm usage must pull the trigger. 

6.3 Physical Methods

6.3. a Firearms (gunshot)

Firearms may likewise be used in euthanasia of specific animals. Shooting however, should only be performed by highly skilled personnel trained in the use of firearms such as those who are members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies. Only licensed and authorized firearms shall be used in the euthanasia of animals.

The following must be considered when firearms are used in euthanasia:

1. 6.3.a.a  Firearms shall be with no less than 22 caliber using non expansive bullets provided that the animal is pursued until death.

2. 6.3.a.b  The person using the firearm should aim or target the brain for the quick and immediate death of the animal. This should be done under the supervision of a duly licensed veterinarian.

"Provided that the animal is pursued until death?" One clean shot should be all that is needed. But dogs shouldn't be shot or mistreated. However this is the Philippines where life of any kind is cheap.

Filipinos Are Still Eating Dogs

Recently a man was caught involved in the dog meat trade was caught while hauling away 5 dogs set to be slaughtered.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/24/5-dogs-for-slaughter-rescued-from-vendor-in-nueva-ecija/

Police rescued five dogs about to be sold and slaughtered by dog meat lovers in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Lawmen arrested a vendor transporting the emaciated canines in a checkpoint in Barangay Sinasanjan.

Suspect Ruel Bote of Purok Kahel, Barangay Concepcion, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija was onboard a “kolong-kolong” (motorcycle with trailer) when he was flagged down by Penaranda policemen manning a checkpoint in Barangay Sinasajan.

An inspection of his transportation yielded the five animals stuffed in three sacks.

Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Cesar Pasiwen has directed his men to strictly enforce the law protecting dogs and other animals considered pets and not livestock.

“We keep on reminding the public that they can be penalized once abuses are committed on their pets or to any other animals,” he added.

Bote is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act of 2017.

This is not the first man charged with trading in illegal dog meat. Back in August 12 dogs were rescued from a dog meat trader. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/841803/12-dogs-rescued-suspected-dog-meat-trader-nabbed-in-bulacan/story/

A man allegedly involved in the illegal dog meat trade was arrested in Bulacan, according to a report on “Saksi”.

Identified as Hernando Polintan, authorities apprehended the suspect during an entrapment operation in the province.

Polintan admitted to selling dog meat for P300 up to P350 each.

He is now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bulacan and will be facing charges of violating Republic Act No. 8485 or the “Animal Welfare Act”.

The twelve dogs that were found placed in sacks were rescued during the operation. They will be transferred to the Animal Kingdom Foundation rescue center in Capaz, Tarlac where they will undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

Who is eating dog meat? In Baguio "special" customers are served the delicacy.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180135

The city veterinary office is cracking down on eateries serving dog meat to “special” customers after animal welfare advocates asked for the local government’s help against the illegal meat trade. 

“There is no commercial slaughtering of dogs for meat in Baguio,” said Dr. Silardo Bested in a text message on Friday, adding that based on apprehensions made, the dog meats are sourced in the lowlands, outside the city. 

He said dog meat is not among the food allowed under the safety food standards. As such, selling dog meat at the city market and restaurants, including the satellite markets in the barangays, is prohibited. 

“However, there are a few restaurants that secretly offer dog meat to selected customers who like eating dog meat. We are constantly monitoring this,” Bested said, as he assured the public that "we are acting on this.”

The official said a restaurant along Marcos Highway was caught by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) serving dog meat dishes to customers.

“We will strengthen our monitoring and will file charges for violation of the animal welfare law and recommend the closure of their business,” the veterinarian said. 

Bested said the non-profit animal welfare non-government organization Animal Kingdom Foundation sought the help of the city government to help stop the illegal trade and serving of dog meat whether surreptitiously or not to also discourage dog traders from slaughtering the dogs and transporting them to the city.

Slaughtering dogs for food has been banned since 1998 but oddly enough there is a loophole in the law. One can still slaughter and eat dogs as long as it is for religious purposes. 

https://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno8485.htm

The killing of any animal other than cattle pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer and crocodiles is likewise hereby declared unlawful except in the following instances: 

(1) When it is done as part of the religious rituals of an established religion or sect or a ritual required by tribal or ethnic custom of indigenous cultural communities; however, leaders shall keep records in cooperation with the Committee on Animal Welfare;

Imagine eating dogs as part of a religious ritual. Imagine worshipping god by eating a dog. Despite the practice being outlawed dogs will continue to be slaughtered for food as long as the demand remains. And clearly there are Filipinos out there who get a craving for man's best friend. 

Antique Veterinary Office Tells Dog Owners to Provide Anesthesia and Antibiotics for Free Dog Castration

Without a doubt stray dogs are a public safety hazard. Here is the most recent case of a stray dog causing the death of a person. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/461681/club-employee-killed-in-accident-in-lapu-after-trying-to-avoid-stray-dog

A club employee did not make it home after he died due to a road accident in Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday morning, September 1.

Local police from Lapu-Lapu City confirmed that a 33-year-old man was killed in a freak accident along Brgy. Basak there. 

The victim was identified as Mark Caballero, a resident of A. Lopez Street, Cebu City. Caballero, according to police, was an employee of a club located also in Brgy. Basak.

Police Staff Sergeant Junell Mayola of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) said Caballero was on his way home around 6 a.m. on Thursday.

While traversing the southbound lane of the highway, a stray dog crossed the road, prompting him to swerve the motorcycle he was driving. As a result, Caballero crashed onto the center island, head first. 

Mayola also clarified that the victim was wearing his helmet, contrary to reports circulating on social media. He added that the helmet flew off due to the impact of the crash.

This man was not killed in a freak accident. He was killed when he swerved his motorcycle to avoid hitting a stray dog. An accident to be sure but not a freak one like frozen human waste falling into your house from an airplane. 

The solution is simple: get rid of stray dogs. However, seeing as street dogs, known as aspins, are the national breed it is not as easy as destroying them and there would be a huge public outcry if that happened. Remember the fiasco over Oplan Dog Hang?

"Wag nang manlaban, isuko na ang alagang hayop! Upang hindi na makapinsala at makadumi sa kapaligiran."

This phrase translates roughly to:

"Don't resist, surrender your pet dog. In order not to harm and pollute the environment."

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2018/09/oplan-dog-hang.html 

Castration and sterilization are the more humane ways to end the stray problem.  Antique is seeking to reduce its dog population by offering free castration. There is only one catch.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1182725

Antique’s Provincial Veterinary (ProVet) Office will conduct mass dog castration this whole month of September to limit the dog population and deter possible cases of rabies in the province.

 

“The ProVet staff will be going to the different municipalities of the province for the activity, depending on the schedule given by the municipal agriculture officers,” Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil, chief of ProVet’s public health division, said in an interview on Thursday.

 

Ardamil said three veterinarians of the office would conduct the castration but dog owners would be the ones to provide the anesthetic, antibiotic, and other needs.

How in the world will dog owners be able to procure anesthesia and antibiotics? You have to be a doctor to get your hands on those things. This is ridiculous. Perhaps they mean the owners has to pay for those things but then that makes the castration not free at all. And are they really going to go house to house castrating dogs?  You need to do that in a sterile environment. You can't just do it anywhere without risking infection or worse. Maybe they have a truck where they perform the operation? Who knows? I do know no owners are going to be able to provide anesthesia or antibiotics. 

Picture of the Week: Precariously Perched Pooch

 Just look at this:

Who would do something so cruel as to place their dog's cage on stilts! One strong typhoon gust of wind or some hungry termites and he's a goner. Sure it makes it easier to clean up the mess because it all falls to the ground and is washed away. But isn't the safety and security of your animal more important than your ease from work?

Sugarcane Truck Plows Through Family's House for the Third Time

A truck loaded with sugarcane rammed into a house in the early morning of January 14th killing two people. It is a tragedy on many levels. Let's take a closer look at the details as they differ from report to report.

https://visayandailystar.com/two-killed-by-wayward-truck/

A 10-wheeler truck figured in a road crash, slamming into a house along the highway at Brgy. Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, yesterday, killing of its two occupants.

Police said that JR Cordero, 30, died on the spot, while his 58-year-old mother, Ermie, was declared dead on arrival later at the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial Hospital in La Carlota City.

PCapt. Hancel Lumandaz, Pontevedra acting police chief, in his report to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, disclosed that the 10-wheeler Isuzu truck loaded with sugarcane, driven by Henry Salgado Sr, accompanied by his 8-year-old son, hit the road railings, slammed and fell into the house of Cordero family, resulting in the deaths of JR and his mother.

Also injured were Salgado and his son, as well as Leona Cordero, 12. Both minors, however, sustained minor injuries, while Salgado was reported to be in critical condition, according to the Pontevedra police.

The house of the victims was declared as totally damaged.

In this version of the story a man driving a sugarcane truck slammed into the road railings and fell over into the house. His son was riding shotgun and sustained injuries. A 12 year old girl who lived in the house was also injured. The house was totally damaged.

Now let's see how Philstar reported this story.

 A 10-wheeler truck loaded with sugarcane rammed a house along the highway in Barangay Antipolo in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental yesterday, leaving two occupants dead.

Police said JR Cordero, 30, died at the scene while his 58-year-old mother Ermie was declared dead on arrival at the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial Hospital.

Capt. Hancel Lumandaz, Pontevedra acting police chief, said the truck driver, Henry Salgado Sr., is in critical condition in a hospital while his eight-year-old son and a 12-year-old girl, who were his passengers, suffered minor injuries.

The house of the fatalities was destroyed.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/01/15/2153925/truck-rams-house-2-dead

In this version the house was hit by the sugarcane truck which was driven by Henry Salgado. Riding with him was his 8-year- old son and a 12-year-old girl. We are not told the relation of the girl to the driver. "The house of the fatalities was destroyed" is a rather cumbersome way of saying the house was destroyed. 

Next up is Sunstar.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1918186/bacolod/local-news/ma-son-die-3-injured-as-truck-rams-house

A family was caught by surprised when a 10-wheeler truck loaded with sugarcane rammed through their house at Barangay Antipolo in Pontevedra town, Negros Occidental past 1 a.m. Friday, January 14.

The accident claimed the lives of Ermie Cordero, 58, and her son JR, 30, and caused minor injuries to her daughter Leona, 12, Pontevedra Municipal Police Station deputy chief Lieutenant Rowell Peniero said.

Peniero said JR died on the spot while his mother Ermie died while being treated hours after she was brought at a hospital.

He said the Corderos failed to save themselves as they were sleeping when the accident happened.

Truck driver Henry Salgado, 46, of Barangay Bi-ao in Binalbagan town, and his eight-year-old son, were also injured and were brought to a hospital in La Carlota City, Peniero also said.

The police officials said, however, that the driver needed to be transferred to a hospital in Bacolod City as his injuries were severe.

Investigation showed that the truck was heading west of the provincial road and hit the railings upon reaching the area between Puroks Santan and Amorabita before ramming into the house of the Corderos.

The truck also fell and the about 40 tons of sugarcane it carries also spilled over the house made of mix materials.

The victims needed to be retrieved from the rubble of their collapsed house, Peniero said, adding that Salgado might have lost control over his vehicle since the road was descending.

Salgado may be facing reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide with damage to properties.

In this version were are told that the family "was caught by surprised" when a sugarcane truck rammed into their house. In this version we are told that the injured 12-year-old is the daughter of the woman and sister of the man who died. The family "failed to save themselves as they were sleeping" is a very awkward thing to write because it makes it appear like they are responsible for their deaths when the fact is a truck crashed into their home and dumped 40 tons of sugarcane on top of them. The driver could be facing charges.

Finally let's see what Panay News has to say about this story.

A 40-ton cane truck fell on its side and crushed a small house in Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental early yesterday morning. Two people were killed and one was injured.

Authorities identified the fatalities as 30-year-old JR Cordero and his mother, 58-year-old Ermie Cordero.

JR’s sister, 12-year-old Leona, survived but sustained multiple injuries.

Pontevedra police traffic investigator Police Corporal Genesis Beñas, said the truck driven by 46-year-old Henry Salgado, Sr. was heading west and was making a turn when he overshot, causing the truck to fall  on to its side and crashing in to the Cordero family’s home.

The victims were trapped for several hours in the wreckage and ultimately both JR and Ermie were declared dead on arrival at a hospital in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

Salgado, meanwhile, was hospitalized after the incident. He is believed to be inebriated at the time incident.

It was also not the first instance that the house was involved in an accident. 

In September of 2021, a truck also smashed into the house of the Cordero family. No one was injured in that incident, although the family’s dog was killed.

Salgado could face criminal charges over the incident, and police are still waiting for the decision of the Cordero family if they would press charges.

https://www.panaynews.net/cane-truck-crushes-house-in-pontevedra/

This story also tells us that the 12-year-old girl was the sister of the man and daughter of the woman who was killed. We also get the significant detail that the driver was inebriated. Why did none of the other news articles report that? We are also told that Salgado could face criminal charges if the family decided to press charges! That makes no sense if the man was driving drunk. According to the police his son told them he had been drinking all day!

The child of Salgado, aged eight, told policemen his father had been drinking the entire day before driving early in the morning of 15 August when the incident happened.

https://dnx.news/family-including-two-minors-to-face-charges-for-death-of-pa-in-kabankalan-drunk-driver-in-death-of-two-in-pontevedra-still-critical-in-hospital/

That is a crime punishable by law. The government should be the party who brings charges against this man and not the family.

One last thing that this story tells us is that this is not the first time this house was involved in a sugarcane truck accident. In September 2021 a sugarcane truck smashed into the Cordero's house and killed their dog.

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/dog-killed-after-being-buried-in-sugarcane-pile/

A pet dog was killed in a road mishap at Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental yesterday.

According to Police Captain Hancel Lumandaz, town police chief, a German Shepherd was pinned by a pile of sugarcane that fell from a truck which overshot to the roadside.

Lumandaz said the truck driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle when it was about to turn.

The caption on the picture gives us even more information which is not in the article.

A truck loaded with sugarcane overshot to the roadside, hitting a portion of a house, and killing a pet dog at Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental Tuesday. 

It's pretty tragic to lose a dog to a wayward sugarcane truck. But it gets worse. This same house was also the location of a sugarcane truck accident exactly a year earlier on January 14, 2021!

Beside the provincial road, if one faces east, an uprooted mango tree lies.

Its branches already wilted, leaves stripped almost a month after Odette, a Category 5 storm roared across the province a week before Christmas eve of 2021.

That tree is on a downward slope of the road that starts to curve right, the part where drivers usually start to hit the brakes.

On 14 January 2021, Ermie Gregorio and her son, JR, were saved by that tree when a truck loaded with sugarcane missed the curve and plunged headlong into their house.

Only a portion of the roof was hit.

A dog in the kitchen died.

Exactly a year later yesterday, 14 January 2022, Ermie and JR were asleep early in the morning around 1am when Henry Salgado was driving a 10-wheeler truck.

https://dnx.news/tiempo-suerte-tragedy-truck-crashes-crushes-house-kills-two/

A year ago the Corderos were saved by a mango tree. A year later the mango tree had been uprooted by typhoon Odette and they had no protection. The fact that they survived a previous sugarcane truck crash only to die exactly a year later from a sugarcane truck crashing into their house serves to increase the weight of the tragedy with the added level of irony.

All three trucks were going around a curve when they overshot it and took a nasty spill on the the same house. Thanks to the magic of Google street view you can virtually travel that dangerous route as it goes through Barangay Antipolo in Pontevedra.

Sugarcane Truck Route

It's unfortunate that every truck driver in the Philippines drives like a maniac speeding and racing through red lights. It does not help that sugarcane trucks are always overloaded giving them a potentially deadly cargo. Generally speaking sugarcane trucks are old rust buckets that seem to be barely held together. Oftentimes they don't have functional headlights. Each one of those trucks is a disaster waiting to happen. It is indeed tragic that this family's house was hit three times by a sugarcane truck but they are not the first. 

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/two-hurt-as-truck-crashes-into-house/

A mother and her son were injured after a six-wheeler truck loaded with sugarcane crashed into their house at Bangga Malubon, Purok Santol, Barangay Paraiso, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Monday.

Wounded were Ruby Opelina, 49, and her seven-year-old son, whose name was withheld.

Police Major Antonio Benitez Jr., city police chief, said that the truck driven by 36-year-old Emilio Openio was moving in a descending direction when the vehicle’s brakes allegedly malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to crash into Opelina’s house and damaging it.

Benitez said that the mother was sitting, checking her son, who was sleeping, when the accident occurred past 10 a.m.

Both victims suffered minor injuries.

Benitez said that the mother is still confined at a hospital while her son was already discharged.

He said that the truck driver was already released from police custody after the 18-hour reglementary detention. Both parties also had an initial settlement, he added.

There is no reason the brakes should suddenly malfunction. These accidents are totally preventable if only the drivers practiced safety first which includes making sure the vehicle is 100% functional and slowing when going around a curve.