Social media users and Cebu-based animal rights groups voiced their condemnation of photos of street dogs with extensive acid burns that were circulating in social networking sites.
The injuries were reportedly inflicted by Alfredo Alindao, a Talisay City resident who threw sulfuric acid on the dogs.
Alindao admitted to doing the deed and pledged not to do it again.
“This man (Alindao) is sick and pure evil. How can you do something so cruel to these poor animals? Justice should be served!” one comment read. Cebu South Dog Club, a local organization in Talisay City said it had been monitoring the case.
“At the moment, we are tapping into different groups such as IRO (Island Rescue Organization) and PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society) for assistance for taking legal actions against the person,” CSDC secretary Gerald Cabinatan said.
In a signed statement before barangay captain Dario Villaver, Alindao also pledge that he will not harm dogs again. The incidents happened in sitio Buntoris in barangay Mohon, Talisay City.
For now, the affidavit that Alfred signed is the residents’ only assurance that he won’t harm dogs in the area again.
“He is back in his home, and is a threat to dogs in the area, I might add,” Cabinatan said.
Villaver said the dogs are “common” in the area since many people who live there feed them.
He said he was told by Alindao that the dogs chased him and his wife.
Alindao said he brought sulfuric acid in case the dogs chased him again.
“No one’s allowed to bring acid. We will investigate this),” Villaver said.
The captain also said they will determine where Alfred got the acid.
Villaver said he received information that Alfred is working in a shell craft store where he could have used acid to bleach the shells.
“There were two dogs and all of them had to endure days of pain before dying,” Cabinatan said.
Alindao said he poured acid on the dogs last Monday, June 3. He was summoned to the barangay where he filed his statement last Friday.
The dogs died last Thursday and Saturday.
“Our ultimate goal is to give justice to those dogs that he has abused and killed,” Cabinatan said.
Under Republic Act (RA) 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, it is unlawful for any person to torture any animal, neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animals.
Violators can be punished by imprisonment of at least six months to a maximum of two years or a fine of P1,000 to a maximum P5,000 or both at the court’s discretion.
A House Bill 6893 strengthening RA 8485 was approved on the last session day of the 15th Congress.
It seeks steeper penalties on animal welfare offenses by penalizing violators of the law with a maximum imprisonment of two years and a P100,000 fine if the maltreated or neglected animal dies. /Jose Santino S. Bunachita, Correspondent