Photo by PAWS
MANILA, Philippines–A criminal case has been filed against a man who hacked a dog’s snout off in Samar last year.
In a two page resolution, Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Rosario F. Diaz ordered the filing of violation of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act against Valentino Diaz before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Mondragon-San Roque, Mondragon, Northern Samar.
“Premises considered, there is sufficient evidence to engender a well-founded belief that probable cause exists that the crime of violation of the Animal Welfare Act was committed and that respondent [Diaz] is probably guilty thereof and should be held for trial,” the prosecutor said.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Amar T. Adrayan who said that in the evening of Sept. 3, 2012, he saw Diaz delivering hacking blows with his bolo to three dogs who managed to run away. Then, Diaz approached his tricycle where his dogs were tied and hacked one of his two dogs Wacku despite his pleas. The dog was taken to the Vet-Teaching Hospital of the University of Eastern Philippines where he underwent surgery and lost his upper snout.
A complaint was filed against Diaz who failed to appear before the Prosecutors’ office to submit his counter-affidavit and supporting documents.