Don't be cruel

In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog. — Edward Hoagland author of Cat Man

Yes, become partly a dog. In my life it’s the dogs that give me hope. If you have lived with a pet, I guess there are no explanations needed. If you have never had a pet — the only way to understand us is to get one.

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In a few days we will have a new president. The stage, Quirino Grandstand, has been set. The tickets have been issued and the ceremony has been finalized.

Finally, the country can start moving somewhere. I guess to many of us that is better than just staying where we are.

I hope (my doggie companions hope, too) that the new president will be a humane one who at least respects the rights of animals — and gets good people to work on the humane treatment of all animals.

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There are so many cases of animal cruelty in this country. Yes, yes, I hear you: there have been more cases of cruelty against people. And, yes, these issues have to be addressed. There is the Department of Justice for the people.

But what department is there for the animals?

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has been working for the rights of the animals. Matter of fact, it is PAWS that has been instrumental in at least holding off the approval of a law that would have allowed the building of racetracks for Greyhounds.

But, with a new administration, there are renewed fears that any congressman may file a bill for the building of a Greyhound racetrack.

“We have to be vigilant,” said PAWS director Anna Cabrera. “We at PAWS are always ready to fight against any form of cruelty to animals.”

But Anna also told me that there have been times when the animal rescuers get charges filed against them.

Anna told me of a case of a woman who filed charges of robbery, breaking and entering against Anna and Aileen De Guzman of Strike Animal Welfare Society-Cavite (SAWS) for allegedly breaking into her yard and rescuing her starving dog from the cage in her garage. “PAWS is filing a counter-charge of violation of Republic Act 8485 or The Philippine Animal Welfare Act,” mentions Anna, “for the woman’s neglect of her dog.”

PAWS not only rescued the dog but they have taken it to the PAWS shelter where it is receiving the care it needs.

Tom-tom (short for gutom), as the dog is fondly called, is recovering from the extreme malnourishment.

Anna said that it was the neighbors on the area who reported the case to PAWS because they noticed that the dog had not been given regular food or water for several days.

“The neglectful owner would leave the dog for weeks without food or access to drinking water,” added Anna. “The good thing is that the neighbors of the woman have executed affidavits that they saw how neglected the dog was.”

What Can Be Done

PAWS is helping in the filing of charges against more than a dozen animal offenders. Two involve dog katay, or attempted dog slaughter cases in the areas of Antipolo, Rizal and Marikina. One is a dog-shooting case in Taytay. Three cases of dogs being beaten to death have been filed in Pasay, Montalban and Caloocan. 

There is one cat cruelty case that involves the violent shooting of a cat in Taytay, Rizal.

It is good that there is PAWS and other animals welfare groups have made themselves available to help people who have been witness to cruelty against animals.

“We are able to help pet owners seek justice for their pets if they are able to submit a sworn affidavit of the crime they witnessed,” added Anna, “or if they get other witnesses’ affidavits for filing with the prosecutor’s office.”

 It is good for people who report cases of cruelty to file a report with the barangay where the crime happened. It is most useful if the report contains photos, a police report and a veterinarian’s certificate as to the animal’s condition when it was brought in.

 Victims of violence towards their pets need not worry about the expense of filing a case. Filing of cases costs only about P100 to P200, and PAWS volunteer lawyers are willing to review affidavits, and appear in court.

 Anna told me that she is often asked whether or not PAWS can file the case without the witnesses ever filing a written affidavit or testifying.

“This is extremely difficult to do,” quipped Anna. “Without the witnesses’ affidavits, PAWS has to secure all the evidence from scratch — and this needs a vast amount of resources and manpower, which the PAWS currently does not have.”

 Once a person is proven guilty of violating the Animal Welfare Act, he/she may be fined an amount of P1,000 up to P5,000, or serve a prison term of six months up to two years, or get both fined and imprisoned, depending on the judge’s decision.

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There is a case pending in the Antipolo Trial court. It’s a dogfight case of “The People of the Philippines vs. Danny Sy Tan et al.” PAWS filed the first-ever court case against dogfighters in the country.

“PAWS filed this case a few weeks before Michael Vick — the infamous football player — was convicted of animal cruelty for engaging in dogfights,” added Anna. 

 It is sad that the wheels of justice grind ever so slowly in our country. In the US, Michael Vick has already been tried and convicted. Vick has served his time in prison and is now undergoing rehab.

PAWS’ dogfight case is still being tried in court. The accused has pleaded not guilty despite the videos and photos of the dogfight.

Help Paws

The number of cats rescued by PAWS has reached 243. This means that there are lots of cats needing good homes. It is a fact that cats get adopted out less than dogs, but PAWS is hopeful that there are many homes out there that would like to bring home a cat.

For the cats in the shelter PAWS is in need of the following:

Cat food — The cats consume 22 kilos of cat food a day.

Old newspapers

Detergent powder

Old leashes

Old collars — For medium-sized dogs /aspin size

Cat cages for the quarantine. PAWS has a specific size and color, and we get a discount from the supplier. If you want to donate a few cages contact PAWS at philpaws@yahoo.com or call 475-1688.

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Cats For Adoption

Mindy — is the type of feline who will sit quietly by your side to keep you company but will always give you space. She is not a needy cat that craves constant attention. She is an ideal pet for the busy career lady who just needs a purring machine to come home to.

Lauren — is one of the prettiest cats in the cattery. She loves to come up to people to be touched. It’s obvious that Lauren longs to be adopted by a family who will adore her as much as she adores humans.

Bonj — is a fostered kitty. Barely two weeks old when he was found on top a garbage heap, he was bottle-fed by a kind PAWS volunteer until he could eat solid kitten food. Bonj has a huge appetite and enjoys being the center of attention.

Steve — is one of the down-on-his-luck cats. He was found by the roadside and was almost run over by a car when he was rescued by PAWS. Steve is optimistic that his luck will change. Ever since he gained weight, he has been strutting around the cattery like a new cat. He can’t wait to get adopted!

Gavin — From the way Gavin looks now, you’d never guess that he was picked up as a barely-alive stray kitten a few months ago.

Trudy — Always sleeping, always dreaming of her forever-home. When she opens her eyes tomorrow, can you cheer her up with a visit and a possibility that her dreams of a forever-home will soon come true.

Mac — was kicked around and had a very rough life as an adolescent cat. When PAWS took him in the volunteers needed to constantly assure him that no one was going to kick or hurt him anymore.

Georgie — seems to want to go home with anyone who enters the cattery. She will come up to strangers and kiss them.

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If you want to adopt a cat, contact PAWS at philpaws@yahoo.com or call 475-1688.