Pet owners in Cavite seek justice after 12 animals die in suspected poisoning

MANILA — Pet owners in Alfonso, Cavite want the person or persons who poisoned their dogs and cats identified and charged, saying the animals did nothing to deserve such a cruel death.

“Sana maisip din nila na buhay din ‘yung tinatanggalan nila,” Mary Donnabell Rivera, one of the owners said, as the community seeks justice for the 12 animals found dead in their neighborhood.

Two of the dogs belonged to Rivera, who witnessed her pets suffer before they died in Barangay Kaytitinga Tres.

She said it was difficult to accept their loss, especially since they had cared for the dogs for a long time.

“Malambing siyang aso sa amin. Pag-uwi, sasalubong sa’yo. And then, ‘yung buntot, makikita mo is gumagawayway. ‘Pag nakatambay ka sa terrace ng bahay, tatabi sila sa’yo,“ Rivera said.

“So, noong time na ‘yung [mamatay], hindi ko na alam kung ano ‘yung gagawin ko. Kasi, hindi lang isa eh, dalawa sila,” she added.

Another pet owner, Richmond Fenol, recalled finding one of their dogs staggering as it struggled to breathe on Monday night.

The dog eventually collapsed and suffered convulsions.

When Fenol checked on their other dog, he found it trembling as well. Both animals later died.

“Napansin ko sa bibig niya na may tumutulo na laway. Sabi ko, para kang nalason,” Fenol said.

“Kagabi, ang akala lang namin dalawa. And then kaninang morning lang namin nalaman na ‘yung isa pa palang aso rin ng kuya ko, namatay din siya d’yan naman sa labas din,” he added.

Residents were shocked to discover eight dead dogs and four cats in the area.

Police investigators recovered several food containers with leftover rice that appeared to have been mixed with a blue substance.

Based on the initial investigation, authorities suspect that the animals were deliberately poisoned.

“Nakita natin ‘yung mga kanin na kulay asul. Indikasyon ito na ginamitan ito nung isang chemical na nakakalason nga dito sa mga highway,” PSSg. Boyet Soriano, investigator of the Alfonso Municipal Police Station explained.

“Ang mga lason naman na ito ay ginawa para sa mga peste, lalo na sa daga ba nakaka-perwisyo sa ating kabuhayan. Pero ang nakakalungkot lang ay talagang sinadya ngang gamitin sa mga alagang hayop,” he added.

The Animal Kingdom Foundation condemned the incident, stressing that poisoning animals constitutes cruelty prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act.

According to Atty. Heidi Caguioa, the perpetrator could face a maximum fine of P250,000 and up to three years in prison if found guilty.

“Ang paglalason ay isang act of cruelty. Ito ay hindi dapat ginagawa. If there are 3 or more animals involved, qualified animal cruelty ang penalty na pwedeng maipataw,” Caguioa said.

The pet owners have already filed a blotter report with their barangay.

Fenol appealed to whoever was responsible to think about the consequences of their actions, saying he did not know what could have prompted the person to harm the animals.

“Sana nag-isip ka muna. Kasi, hindi ko rin sure kung parang naabala ka ng mga aso. Pero may buhay pa rin sila. So, mali ‘yung ginawa,” he said.

Rivera, meanwhile, urged the perpetrator not to take their frustration out on innocent animals.

She said animals would not hurt people unless they were also harmed.

“Sana hindi nalang niya dinadamay ‘yung ibang hayop na wala naman ginagawang mali. Kasi hindi ka naman sasaktan ng hayop kung hindi mo rin sila sinasaktan.”

Authorities continue to investigate the incident and identify the person responsible.