THE Makati City government formed on Wednesday a special team from the city’s Veterinary Services Office to investigate the killing and disappearance of more than 12 community cats in the upscale Dasmariñas Village last month and prosecute the perpetrators.
Acting Mayor Romulo Peña Jr. said the team, will be headed by city veterinarian Vivien Manalastas, who had already had initial meetings with officials of the Dasmariñas Village Association, Compassion and Responsibility for Animals Philippines and Barangay Dasmariñas chairman Martin John Pio Arenas.
“As a local chief executive, I will not allow anyone, regardless of their social status, to intentionally inflict harm on our animals,” Peña said, vowing to file charges against those found responsible for the barbarism.
Peña said he also offer a cash reward to whoever can help expedite the arrest of the perpetrator or perpetrators, after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia offered a P50,000 reward to anyone who could give information leading to the resolution of the case.
Contrary to the claim of barangay chairman Arenas, Manalastas said a similar case was already reported in the same subdivision eight years ago.
In 2007, Manalastas said 14 cats and kittens under the care of Cara were shot dead by a still unidentified person with an airgun.
In the latest incident, residents claimed that at least 12 community cats from the village have gone missing, and some have been found dead, apparently from unnatural causes.
A circular released by village management reports that one cat died slowly and painfully from chemical burns after paint thinner was poured over the said animal.
Peta said the community cats in Dasmariñas Village have been spayed and neutered through Cara Welfare’s Trap-Neuter-Return program and are fed by residents of the village.
The village management and security are also looking into, what they described, as series of barbaric crimes, which began on Jan. 13 but so far no suspects have been identified.
Aggravated cruelty to animals carries a penalty of up to P250,000 and three years im prison under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 as amended by Republic Act No. 10631.
Peta officials said anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Peta Asia hotline at (0999)888-7382.