BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ROXAS City – A court in Pilar, Capiz has found a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman and three others guilty of animal cruelty, stemming from a widely shared video of the brutal killing of a dog. The verdict, delivered on November 12, 2024, comes months after the incident went viral and sparked public outrage.
The defendants include alias “Dee”, the SK chairman of Barangay Blasco, along with aliases “Rain”, “Tin” and “Mar”. The Roxas Animal Welfare Society (RAWS) filed the case against them, accusing them of violating the Animal Welfare Act.
The court’s decision, promulgated on November 9, declared them guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
“The suspects posted bail shortly after the issuance of their arrest warrants and were promptly arraigned,” said Atty. Ann Margarette Dy, the legal counsel for RAWS.
Despite the guilty verdict, the four were not sentenced to imprisonment. Instead, they were ordered to pay fines, a decision that has raised questions about the adequacy of penalties under current animal welfare laws.
“This ruling sets a legal precedent, but we hoped for harsher consequences given the severity of the act,” remarked a representative from RAWS.
In addition to the legal consequences, Bacay faces potential disciplinary action from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP). The SP is currently reviewing the case and may decide to suspend or remove the SK chairman from his post, citing the gravity of his involvement in the incident.
The incident, which occurred in May this year, ignited a firestorm on social media after a video surfaced showing the SK chairman and three others repeatedly beating a dog until it died. The footage was widely condemned by netizens and animal rights advocates, leading to calls for justice and stricter enforcement of animal protection laws.
The guilty verdict marks a significant step forward for animal rights in Capiz Province, but advocates are urging lawmakers to strengthen penalties for animal cruelty.
“This case underscores the urgent need for stricter laws to protect animals and deter future offenders,” Atty. Dy added./PN
