Love thy neighbor’s dog or pay

MANILA, Philippines — A man who shot his neighbor’s dog has been made to pay for his crime by a local court.

In a six-page decision by Judge Wilfredo Timola of the Taytay, Rizal Municipal Trial Court, Carlos Gozum was sentenced to pay a fine of P5,000 with subsidiary imprisonment in case he has no means to pay and also ordered to indemnify the dog owner Renato Tuazon P15,238.75.

Records showed that in Feb. 5, 2009, Gozum shot the nine-month old Labrador of Tuazon.

Gozum denied the allegation, saying he does not own a gun as shown from the certification issued by the Firearms and Explosives Unit (FEU) of the Philippine National Police. His daughter Judith also said that her father was a peace loving man.

However, witness John Joseph Tuazon said when he heard a gunshot, he went outside his house to find Gozum standing near their dog’s cage holding a gun while the dog whimpered in pain.

Another neighbor, Andrea Valle, who was near the window of her house also said that when she heard the gunshot, she looked outside her window and saw Gozum standing near the dog cage holding a gun.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the Court, upon proof beyond reasonable doubt finds accused Carlos Gozum guilty of violation of Section 6 of Republic Act 8485 (Animal Welfare Act of 1998),” the court ruled.

The dog survived the attack.