New QCPD head bans strays at HQ

Talk about a “pet” peeve.

Days after the new director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) was sworn in, there have been fewer stray animals spotted roaming the grounds at Camp Karingal.

One of the first instructions of Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio upon his appointment as QCPD chief was to prohibit strays at the QCPD headquarters.

“It has been observed by the district director…that several animals like goats, turkeys, ducks, chickens and dogs are found roaming the grounds of QCPD headquarters, unattended by [their] respective owners,” read the July 31 memorandum signed by District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU) head Chief Insp. Benjamin Gabriel Jr.

“In this connection, owners of [the] animals are directed to secure and prevent [their] respective pets or livestock from grazing, roaming, defecating within the grounds of the camp, to avoid their impoundment [with] the Department of Public Order and Safety of Quezon City for violation of the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines,” Gabriel said.

Owners who fail to comply would be punished and the animals impounded, the memo warned.

According to DHSU member PO3 Reginald Bucu, since the memorandum was issued last week, some of the animals, particularly goats and dogs, have no longer been seen going around the camp.