Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito —Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito on Tuesday urged the San Juan City government to hold all responsible parties accountable for the alleged neglect of animals in its city pound.
Animal welfare group Strategic Power for Animal Respondents-Philippines earlier expressed concern over the reported “mistreatment” and “neglect” of animals being kept in the city pound after they were left to drown in floodwaters due to Supertyphoon Carina (international name: Gaemi).
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Several cats and dogs, in photos shared by the group on social media, were seen locked up in cages as floods rose inside the compound.
Concerned citizens also reported that many animals died due to maltreatment inside the pound even before the typhoon, according to the animal welfare group.
“I am very saddened by this tragedy in San Juan. As a dog lover, this is too painful to see innocent lives lost due to negligence,” Ejercito said in a statement.
He also called on the local government to implement measures to prevent similar future incidents. —Tina G. Santos