A man was accused of killing a black cat based on a CCTV footage the day before the animal was found dead.
In the CCTV footage on July 19, 2024, the man was seen playing online games in a computer shop in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City.
Minutes after, the online gamer in yellow jacket took the black cat that was on top of the computer processing unit (CPU).
On the next day, the cat identified as “Ringko,” about four years old, was found dead with wounds on its body.
The owner of the computer shop said the man lost in an online game and vent his anger on Ringko.
Kit, the owner of the black cat, said he learned that the man lost at least P450.
“Naglalaro siya ng Scatter, P650 ang pera niya; P200 na lang ang natira kasi natalo siya. Akala ko nga nasagasaan, yun pala pinatay niya ang pusa,” Kit said.
It was further learned that Ringko is a rescue cat.
The owners Kit and Kier have considered Ringko a member of their family.
“Hindi kasi kami magka-anak. Iyan, three years, mag-four years na sana. Imagine kung gaano kasakit ito. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ako nagtatrabaho kasi wala naman akong anak, eh,” Kit said.
"Hindi nila iyon kasalanan. Hindi naman nila kasalanan na ganyan ang color nila na ibinigay ng Diyos,” Kier, the other owner of the cat, said.
The two mulled on reporting the incident to the police to file formal charges against the perpetrator.
The Bacolod City Veterinary Office and some animal rights groups have expressed readiness to provide assistance to Ringko’s owners.
“The color doesn’t have to do with swerte or malas. May ibang tao lang na talagang naniniwala na may masamang gagawin sa kanila ang mga ito,” Dr. Jec Cabuguason, assistant city veterinarian, said.
As of posting time, GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas has tried to reach out to the accused for comment. The police are also waiting for the filing of complaint by the pet owners.