PAWS, fur mom file formal complaint vs Killua’s killer

Vina Rachelle Arazas, the owner of Killua, files a joint complaint with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) at the Provincial Prosecution Office of Camarines Sur against the man who was seen killing her pet on March 17. (Photo from PAWS’ Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) filed a formal complaint on Monday afternoon against the barangay councilman (kagawad) who was caught on camera killing a pet Golden Retriever in Camarines Sur on March 17.

PAWS, along with the dog’s owner, Vina Rachelle Arazas, lodged a complaint against Kagawad Anthony Solares at the Provincial Prosecution Office of Camarines Sur.

 Solares killed the dog, named Killua, allegedly for chasing his child.

However, CCTV footage posted by Vina Rachelle Arazas, Killua’s owner, on Facebook showed Solares hitting Killua as the dog was trying to escape.

PAWS and Arazas jointly filed a complaint against Solares for violation of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and the Anti-Rabies Act.

In a Facebook post, PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera mentioned that they received assistance from volunteer lawyers, Alyssa Mary John P. Abanes and Aldrin Carlos Niño A. Mereria, in lodging the complaint.

Republic Act No. 10631, which amended certain provisions of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, stipulates that a person found guilty of animal cruelty may face imprisonment of one year and six months to two years, and/or a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect dies.

The violation of the Anti-Rabies Act was filed against Solares for allegedly engaging in the dog meat trade.

In an earlier post on Monday, PAWS confirmed that Killua tested positive for rabies following a test conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry over the weekend.

Cabrera, however, told to Inquirer.net that the testing may not be accurate due to the body being buried for five days prior to testing, which could have led to contamination from the area where many stray dogs have been slaughtered.