Suspect in cruelty to dog nailed

SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte – A 48-year-old tricycle driver here was arrested by police authorities for alleged violation of Republic Act 8485 otherwise known as Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

Chief Inspector Leland Benigno, OIC chief of police, said a phone caller tipped off the PNP station that a dog was being readied for slaughter in Brgy. 14, of this town.

Benigno said policemen immediately responded to verify the report. The result was positive as they saw in front of the suspect’s house, a dog with legs hogtied and its nose bloodied, an evidence that it was about to be slaughtered.

After his arrest, the suspect admitted to investigators that the dog was doomed for pulotan (finger food) for his group of friends as one of them had just arrived from Hawaii for a vacation here.

Benigno said the suspect will be charged with violating Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

Under the said law, a violator will be punished by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years or a fine of not less than P1,000 or not more than P5,000 or both at the discretion of the court.