Tiger

On March 26, I was left stunned and horrified as I scrolled through my social media feed and encountered graphic photos and video of a brutal attack against a community dog in Subic, Zambales. The images were deeply disturbing and the uploader was in anguish seeing the helpless animal – beloved by the local market community, suffering a senseless act of violence.

The dog was called Tiger, named so because of the striking colors of its coat. According to reports, Tiger was a familiar sight around the market, often seen roaming in search of food and human interaction. Sadly, Tiger’s life was cut short at the hands of a woman who saw him not as a living being, but as a mere pest to be disposed of.

This incident is the latest in several troubling incidents of animal cruelty that have sparked national outrage and ignited call for justice.

And rightly so. The barbaric killing of the helpless animal in today’s society, where compassion and basic decency should prevail, strikes at the heart of our collective values, and cannot be justified by any frustration, economic hardship or inconvenience. To say that Tiger’s death angered and saddened me would be an understatement of the overwhelming emotions I felt.

Stabbed to death after allegedly stealing meat, Tiger’s tragic death is not only a horrifying case of animal cruelty but also brings to light a long underlying problem that has often been overlooked – the common and rampant mistreatment of strays.

While I share the sentiments of many others in condemning this unacceptable cruel act, it is important to acknowledge the root cause of animal abuse cases in our communities: the overpopulation of strays. For years, stray animals have been viewed largely as pests, which they are not, and their rising numbers only make them more prone to neglect and cruelty.

To emphasize the magnitude of the problem, there are over 13 million stray dogs and cats in the Philippines, according to the Mars Petcare Pet Homelessness Project report. That’s millions of animals, all at risk of abuse. Without intervention, these strays will continue to struggle to survive on the streets – scavenging for food and seeking shelter wherever they can which, as seen in Tiger’s case, can lead to fatal consequences.

But let us be clear- this is not the fault of the thousands of stray dogs and cats in our streets; it is ours. Various factors have contributed to the cycle of neglect and abuse of stray animals, including the inconsistent enforcement of the country’s animal welfare law, irresponsible pet ownership, the continued practice of buying and breeding animals instead of adopting, and the lack of government-led spaying and neuter programs to control the population of strays.

What many fail to realize is that addressing the overpopulation of strays does not only consider animal welfare but also promotes public health and the overall well-being of communities. The threat of rabies is real and persistent, especially in densely populated areas with large number of stray animals.

As a society, we must recognize that our treatment of animals mirrors our soul as a nation. As I have said before – a society that is cruel to animals is a broken one, bereft of decency and good moral order.

Tiger’s tragic death is likewise a reminder of the glaring lack of awareness of animal welfare and exposes the gaps as well in current animal welfare legislation. I call on our lawmakers to fast-track policy action and amend the 1998 Animal Welfare Act to introduce tougher penalties for violators, specifically increased jail time and heftier fines to deter others from abusing animals.

Moreover, policy action should mandate and empower local government units (LGUs) to have structured spay and neuter programs. If their budget permits, they should also develop animal sanctuaries to address the overpopulation of strays in their respective communities and foster a systematic and humane way to address the issue.

Information and education campaigns on responsible pet ownership are also crucial and should target people of all ages including children. By doing so, LGUs also protect communities from the threat of rabies.

Lastly, each one of us should look at this incident involving Tiger as a reminder to value life in all forms and to exercise compassion, especially for the most helpless and vulnerable in our society.

Let us extend kindness and decency to animals – the voiceless members of our society who, just like people, need to be cared for. May Tiger’s memory inspire all of us to contribute toward building more compassionate and responsible communities where no animal is subject to abuse or cruelty.