Pangilinan: Club suspension not enough for deaths of 30 dogs

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday said the person behind the improper transport of dogs that led to the deaths of 30 of them should be charged and not just suspended from the dog club.

 

"We are enraged by reports that 30 dogs that were arranged to take part in an annual dog show died after being transported in a closed van," he said in a statement posted on the Senate website.

 

The Philippine Canine Club last week announced that it has suspended the unnamed member who transported the dogs to the Beagle Fanciers Club dog show on December 2.

 

It also said that it has directed its "Trial Board to immediately commence a speedy and impartial investigation of the matter."

 

Reports of the deaths of the dogs, who had been transported in a closed van, spread on social media over the weekend. According to Facebook user Penny Chan, around 40 had been crammed into the truck, which is more commonly used to transport goods. Around 30 dogs are said to have died from heat stroke and dehydration.

Pangilinan said, however, that "while we respect the club's internal processes, it must be noted that the incident violated certain provisions of Republic Act 10631 or the Amended Animal Welfare Act."

 

The law, amended in 2013, penalizes "any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect" with imprisonment of from a year and six months to two years and a fine of up to P100,000 "if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect dies."

 

Under the same law, the owner or operator "of any land, air or water public utility transporting pet, wildlife and all other animals to provide in all cases adequate, clean and sanitary facilities for the safe conveyance and delivery thereof to their consignee at the place of consignment."

 

Pangilinan, former chair of the Senate committee on agriculture, said "if 30 dogs died in the incident as reported, that would be 30 counts, with maximum penalties of up to 90 years' imprisonment and/or P7.5 million fine."

 

"It's time to stop treating animals as mere commodities. How we regard animals show our capacity for empathy and decency, kindness and humanity," he also said.

Groups like the Philippine Animal Welfare Society and CARA Welfare Philippines have been advocating "adopt, don't shop" as an alternative to buying from pet breeders.

 

"By adopting, you are giving our homeless animals a chance for a good life, a chance to be loved and to love back," PAWS says on its website.

 

"Puppy and kitten mills (which sell to pet stores) are in business to make a profit, so they churn out puppies and kittens as fast as they can. These animals are often in ill health and have problems like poor socialization skills due to lack of human companionship and genetic defects due to inbreeding," CARA says on its own website.

 

The Philippine Canine Club, in its incident statement, said that it will "act decisively and in the best interests  of the purebred dog sport and all its members."