Bambi Eloriaga-Amago
Cats and Kittens Rescue PH, an animal welfare group, posted on their Facebook page pictures of cats and dogs allegedly being maltreated, possibly even tortured, by members of the Quezon City LGU (local government unit) tasked to capture stray pets in the area.
According to the group, in an effort to control the spread of rabies as well as prevent animals from urinating and defecating on the streets, stray cats and dogs within Quezon City are normally brought to the pound. If no one comes to claim or adopt them within five days, the animals are then put to sleep.
The pictures were allegedly taken and originally posted by FB user Lourdes Saturre from Batasan Hills. But the welfare group took notice of them since one of the pictures showed a dog with its eyes gouged out. Fearing that this might be a case of animal cruelty, one of the group’s members immediately went to the barangay to try to rescue the impounded animals, only to be told by the Barangay Captain that the animals had already been brought to the city pound in Payatas.
This poses a problem for the group because in order to claim an animal from the city pound, one has to pay an adoption fee of 500 pesos per animal first. The dogs and cats are scheduled to be put to sleep on Friday, September 18, 2015, unless kind-hearted souls are willing to adopt or work with animal welfare groups to save the animals.
Kryndall Garcia, animal rights advocate and inactive member of PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society), opines that the animals were quickly taken to Payatas “…so that they can still earn 500 pesos each dogs and cats unlike if in Batasan, no fees.”
Supposedly, before being put to sleep, the animals also have to suffer the waiting period of five days without being given any food nor water. How the animals are euthanized is also an issue. Another animal rights advocate states that the animals held in Payatas are still being put to sleep via tambucho killing (a process wherein the animals are sealed in a metal box and then exposed to a vehicle’s exhaust fumes) which is illegal. Cats and Kittens Rescue PH, meanwhile, says “mga pusa at aso na hinuhuli at dinadala sa pound minamaltrato na, sinusunog pa ng buhay o inililibing ng buhay.” (Dogs and cats brought to the pound are mistreated, burned alive, or buried alive.) The group further states that taking pictures or videos of animals within the Payatas Pound is strictly prohibited by its administrators.
On the side of the QC LGU, Ms. Garcia was able to speak with Councilor Onyx Crisologo who issued the following statement on the matter: “Hi. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Will inquire about this with the city pound and keep you posted. I personally apologize to the pet owner and rest assured we will not condone this manner of treatment to animals as they should strictly adhere to the animal welfare code passed by the city council, if they do not address this matter as soon as possible there will be consequences.”
