Dog shot with arrows; officials, citizens raise P65,000 reward for abusers' arrest
Trigger warning: This article includes mention of animal cruelty.
A dog in Murcia, Negros Occidental was shot with arrows, prompting officials to put up tens of thousands of cash rewards against the animal abusers.
Viral photos online showed a dog named Tiktok was shot five times near his neck and on his legs with improvised dart arrows. The perpetrators are still at large.
Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas put up a P10,000 reward to anyone who could identify the people behind "the cruel act."
The amount rose to P65,000 with concerned citizens and organizations chipping in, including Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito who shared P15,000.
In a statement, Rojas said he "strongly condemns the recent act of abject cruelty, and cowardice against an innocent dog within our community."
"[S]uch barbaric behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the true values of Murciahanons," he said, adding that he's also offering legal services "in order to fully prosecute the perpetrators."
Bach Project PH, a Bacolod-based non-government organization, rescued Tiktok in cooperation with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society.
Bach Project PH, in a self-comment on its Facebook post regarding the situation, said Tiktok underwent a successful surgery and is under close monitoring. He has also been administered anti-tetanus shots, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, and pain relief.
According to the organization, Tiktok will also undergo laser therapy over the next seven days.
Sen. Grace Poe, meanwhile, said the incident should prompt lawmakers to pass a revised Animal Welfare Act "to put more teeth in the current law and capacitate the barangay to be more responsive to cases of animal cruelty and neglect."
"There is still time to pass this when Congress returns to session and we hope our colleagues will not let pass this chance to do a compassionate act," Poe said in a statement.
Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, originally meted out a punishment of imprisonment between six months and/or two years and a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.
RA 10631 amended the law to increase the penalty depending on the maltreated animal's condition.
If the animal dies, the offender is imprisoned for one year and six months to two years and/or fined at least P100,000.
Severe injuries—with loss of the animal's natural faculty to survive on its own and needing human intervention to sustain its life—lead to imprisonment of one year to one year and a half and/or a fine of at least P50,000.
Any form of cruelty that is non-fatal or non-incapacitating results in imprisonment of six months to one year and/or a fine of at least P30,000.
However, if the crime is committed by a syndicate, an offender running a business out of cruelty, a public official, or involves at least three animals, the maximum penalty of two- to three-year imprisonment and at least a P250,000 fine will be imposed.
To report animal abuse, call the police hotline 911 or your barangay officials. You can also contact the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) for free legal assistance.
