Mini-zoo viral over allegedly feeding live cat to python

A mini-zoo in Masbate City received various negative reactions from social media users following a video of a live cat being fed to a python.

According to a "State of the Nation" report by Mark Salazar on Thursday, the video showed the cat drenched in water and sitting next to the head of the python, which also looked injured.

The mini-zoo owner denied the allegations and stated that the video was taken by a zoo visitor, who purposefully placed the cat inside the cage for a vlog.

“Wala akong kasalanan dahil yung tao na naglagay noon doon, ang purpose siguro niya ilagay doon sa [kulungan yung pusa] kasi vlogger siya,” Fructosa Perez said.

(I have no fault because the person who placed it there, their purpose may be to place [the cat inside the cage] because they are vloggers.)

Meanwhile, the uploader said the owner was saying a different thing and that residents of Masbate were aware of the issue.

“Nabaliktad pa [ang kwento]. By the way, may video ako na may hawak siya na hose, he can’t deny [it]. And alam lahat ng taga-Masbate na pusa talaga pinapakain. Even my friend, kasi since elem[entary] daw bumibili sila sa mga bata. He also said that two days na ang pusa sa cage,” said the uploader.

(The story is reverse. By the way, I have a video of him holding the hose, he can’t deny it. And everyone in Masbate know that they fed it with cats. Even my friend, because they’ve been buying cats from children since elem[entary]. He also said that the cat has been in the cage for the past two days)

In an inspection conducted by the Office of the City Veterinarian and Provincial Veterinarian, it was revealed that the zoo had no permits and was previously disapproved of an application for Amusement Establishment in 2018. The cat was also not found in the python enclosure.

The mini-zoo has been closed down, while the animals have been turned over to the proper authorities.

Should the allegation of live cats being fed to pythons be proven true, individuals found responsible may face charges for violating the Animal Welfare Act. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News