The good and the bad

We received two e-mails from our pet-loving readers.

The first one is from Joey and Mark about the new dog club they have put up. The other letter is from Oscar Lei of PAWS regarding the shooting incident involving stray dogs in Marinduque.

Let’s start with the dognamic duo who inform us that the club they have set up is called lovepets.com (For the Love of Pets and Comradship among men).

The duo have registered the club with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The club’s mission:

1) To spread the awareness and importance of responsible pet ownership for all pet owners

2) Encourage pet ownership, its value and significance in every home

The objectives are:

1) To provide venues for various pet-related activities in which pet owners can participate

2) To conduct activities which teach about responsible pet ownership

3) To rally support from the business sector so that it will take part in its social responsibility of spreading the importance of good pet ownership

4) To help neglected dogs find homes

5) To help more places accept pets and their owners

6) To organize community-based responsible pet owner groups so that they can maintain a safer and healthier co-existence between pets, pet owners and other members of the community

If you are interested in getting involved in this project you can reach Mark and Joey at lovepets_ph@yahoo.com or lovepets_ph @hotmail.com

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The other letter is from Oscar Lei, director and shelter manager of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). PAWS is a volunteer-based group that is dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals. It has played a major role in the passage of RA 8485 which is the Animal Welfare Act.

Oscar furnished us with a letter he sent to Governor Carmencita Reyes of Marinduque regarding the "illegal" shooting of stray dogs in the province. Here is part of Oscar’s letter:

The illegal shooting of stray dogs in the province of Marinduque has angered many citizens. Why do we say "illegal" ? Please consider the following:

1) Administrative Order 21 of the Animal Welfare Act states that:

In case a firearm is used, the following are required: 1) only licensed firearms shall be used; only sharpshooters and members of the Philippine National Police and gun club members who are deputized by the Bureau of Animal Industry and authorized concerned local government units shall perform this duty.

2) Section 1.5.5 of the same AO-21 states that:

Firearms with no less than caliber .22 using non-expansive bullets may be used provided that the animal is pursued until death (target area: head or heart).

From what thousands of viewers saw on Jessica Soho Reports over GMA-7, many terrified dogs were shot in the legs and body, with some coughing out blood, while struggling to flee from their assailants – this so-called death squad led by the city veterinarian himself. Many angry people demanded to know why the city veterinarian and his group were shooting animals when all veterinarians are sworn in their veterinarian oath to protect the welfare of animals.

Section 6 of RA-8485 states that:

The killing of animals shall be done through humane procedures at all times.

The killing in Marinduque was anything but humane. Based on the above information, all those involved in the shooting should be cited for violation of the law. In addition, the city vet may also have violated the Veterinary Act of 2004.

Madame Governor, you are in the best position to correct this tragic situation. In spite of this unfortunate shooting incident, PAWS is willing to assist in formulating an effective and humane solution to the problem associated with stray animals. All we ask in return is willingness in the part of the local government to listen and act, by ensuring that no more violence will be committed against our animals in the future.

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We are one with PAWS in the hope that something be done in relation to the cruel killing of animals – not just in Marinduque – but anywhere else it happens in the country.