IRO: Animal abuses alarming in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — More or less 600 cases of animal abuse have been reported to the Island Rescue Organization (IRO) in Cebu City.

The number is considered by IRO president Annalyn Aizpuru as alarming and she is expecting it to increase at the end of the year.

Aizpuru said their organization receives an average of 10 to 20 reports of animal abuse daily.

Founded in 2010, IRO is the first ever non-profit animal rescue organization in Cebu established by a group of individuals who cares for the welfare of animals like cats, dogs, etcetera with its goal to promote responsible ownership to all animals by reaching and educating the public about the importance of animal protection.

“Marami kaming mga natatanggap na report mostly sa social media na mga animal abuses. Mga aso na pinapalo sila or tinatakpan yung bibig nila, yun animal abuse yun at punishable by law ito,” Aizpuru said.

Aizpuru said that since they have started, they already received numerous reports from different places in the city and from the social media.

Aizpuru said that it is important to spread awareness to public regarding the animal welfare law so animal owners will have more reason to take good care of their pets.

On February 11, 1998, the Animal Welfare Act or RepublicAct 8485 was enacted to protect and promote the welfare of animals, prevent abuse, maltreatment, cruelty, and exploitation.

The law was amended in 2013 implementing stricter penalties for animal abuse, torture, and abandonment.

With this, Aizpuru said that owners should not deprive their pets of their basic needs.

She said that these animals should be free from discomfort, pain, injury, disease, fear, and distress, and failure to provide proper care to them is punishable under the Animal Welfare Act.

“We should consider them as our family. We should give them the love and care they deserved. Di dapat natin sila inaabuso or sinasaktan,” she said.

IRO for the past seven years strives to become a voice to animals that were abused and neglected.

They have conducted various activities engaging community awareness and education for animal welfare issues and discussing the importance of responsible pet ownership, humane treatment of animals including animal behavior and health.

She said that responsible ownership would also help address the cases of animal bites.

DOH-7 reported 59,773 animal bite cases in Central Visayas, mostly stray dog bites.

Meanwhile, Dr. Verna L. Agriam of the Department of Agriculture-7 said it is also important to take care of poultry and farm animals.

She said working animals like carabaos should be given enough rest.

“Importante gyod nga hatagan nato og saktong pahuway kaning atoang gitawag nga mga working animals. They are actually there to work, it is their role to help humans and we humans should also know how to take care and treat these animals right,” she said.

“Kun gikapoy mo sa tibuok adlaw nga pag-uma sa bukid, sila sad gikapoy sa tibuok adlaw nga pag-araro mao nang kinahanglan gayod nga papahulayon sila og sakto,” she added. (FREEMAN)