ANGELES CITY — The city government is set to file charges against some residents in Barangay Lourdes Sur here for slaughtering a dog for “pulutan.”
“This is not acceptable. Dito po sa Angeles City, binibigyan natin ng kahalagahan at respeto ang buhay ng bawat isa, tao man yan o hayop,” Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin said.
Report of the slaughter of a dog in the area was received by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting who initially coordinated with office of the mayor.
Upon Lazatin’s order, his chief adviser IC Calaguas and executive assistant Reina Manuel, who are both advocates for animal rights, dispatched a response team headed by Eder Pasamonte from the dog pound division of the city veterinary office.
Calaguas said Lazatin wanted that immediate action be undertaken and charges filed against those responsible for the act identified in the blotter report in the barangay as Amelito Henson, Amorsolo Guevarra, and Jerry Mari.
“The killing and selling of dogs for food is illegal in the Philippines. Hindi po tama ito, hindi po ginagawang pulutan ang aso. This act is barbaric, primitive, and inhumane,” Calaguas said.
This was also echoed by Manuel, saying “hindi deserve ng aso na gawin lang ganito. They are pets who deserve to be loved and cherished.”
Pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines and the Anti-Rabies Act, the sourcing, trading, slaughtering, butchering, and meat preparation of dogs are prohibited.
Part of the priority programs of the Lazatin administration is to put premium on animal welfare, providing programs like free anti-rabies, neutering and spaying, and improving the animal pound facility.
Upon the instruction of Lazatin, city councilor Atty. Arvin Suller filed a city ordinance entitled Angeles City Animal Welfare and Protection Code that will strengthen the prohibition in the Animal Welfare Act. Angeles CIO
