PAWS: Killua killing not an act of self-defense

Charges are now being prepared against the man who killed Killua, a three-year-old golden retriever, in Bato, Camarines Sur, on Sunday. 

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said on Thursday that the organization, along with Killua's owner, Vina Rachelle Arazas, would file a complaint for violation of Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, on Monday, March 25. 

Based on CCTV footage, the dog was seen jumping from their house's roof after scaling it past 5 a.m. on Sunday. Killua then allegedly attacked a resident, prompting the man to chase the dog and beat the animal to death. 

The man also said that Killua bit his leg. 

PAWS refuted the man's account of what happened. 

''The animal offender claims that this was an act of self-defense, but video evidence shows that Killua, the dog, was being chased by him and none of the elements of self-defense (unlawful aggression, reasonable necessity of the means employed to repel the attack, and lack of provocation on the part of the person defending himself) were present,'' PAWS said. 

''Further, there are humane ways of animal control. The City Veterinarian’s Office can be called in for this task. Clearly, there was no reason for Killua to be killed in this manner, as she was not harming anyone,'' it added.

''Because witnesses and the pet owner have submitted affidavits, we will be able to file charges of violation of the Animal Welfare Act and ensure that the person responsible for this crime will be held accountable.''

Senators Grace Poe and JV Ejercito also condemned the killing, with Poe calling for the passage of legislation aimed at strengthening the Animal Welfare Act. 

Senate Bill 2458, or the Revised Animal Welfare Act, seeks to create a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force that will enable local officers to address animal welfare issues with dispatch.

The proposed measure will likewise establish standards geared towards engendering responsible pet ownership as well as ethical behavior and accountability from all those who have control over or provide care to animals.

Arazas welcomed the development. 

“Sana po yung batas natin mas lalo pa pong mapagpatibay, and somehow po nakakapagbigay po ng reassurance para yung ibang pets natin and animals mapoprotektahan po natin sila,” she told GMA News Online.

(I hope that the law will be strengthened, as this will somehow give reassurance that our pet animals will be protected.)

Aside from Killua's death, other recent cases of animal cruelty in the country included the stabbing of a dog by a Korean national and cats resorting to cannibalism due to alleged neglect in a shelter in Cavite. 

''We call on witnesses of other crimes against animals that have been posted on social media to step forward and cooperate with law enforcement agencies for the filing of the cases,'' PAWS said.

''We can end the impunity of animal offenders by filing these cases.''

The Animal Welfare Act penalizes animal abuse with imprisonment of between six months and two years, a fine, or both at the discretion of the court. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News