Bureau of Immigration arrests alleged Chinese cat killer for overstaying in the country
The Bureau of Immigration said it had arrested a Chinese man who went viral after a video showed that he allegedly kicked a cat to death in Makati.
In a statement on March 13, the BI said the man, identified as 32-year-old Jiang Shan, was arrested in front of his residence in Brgy. Palanan, after being found to be overstaying.
According to BI records, Jiang arrived as a tourist in May 2023 but hasn't extended his visa since September of that year.
He wasn't able to present any documentation to the arresting BI agents.
"He was immediately taken into custody, booked, and transferred to the BI’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig while he faces his deportation case," the agency said.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado told foreign nationals to respect Philippine laws during their stay.
“Filipinos are known to be very hospitable to our guests,” Viado said. “But guests should not come to our houses kicking our pets. His cruel action led to the BI conducting checks on his records, and now he’s detained to be deported,” he added.
The said incident happened at the Ayala Triangle Gardens park, where Jiang was seen allegedly kicking the community cat named Ken, who was peacefully resting on a walkway. The cat succumbed to his injuries later on.
When confronted afterward, Jiang was reportedly arrogant and refused to give his information to citizens in the area.
The country penalizes animal cruelty.
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 for free legal assistance.
