A 23-year-old man in Mambaling, Cebu City landed in jail after pouring hot water in his neighbor’s dog.
According to the dog’s owner, Gina Lucido, the dog suffered burns with its hair falling off.
The suspect, identified as Jason Fuentes, is currently detained at the Mambali Police Station.
“Sinabi ko sa kanya [Fuentes] bakit ka nagalit [sa aso]. Sabi niya ‘yung aso mo lagi akong tinatahulan, sabi ko naman natural lang naman tumatahol ang aso tapos umuuwi ka madaling araw kaya tumatahol sa iyo ang aso,” Lucido said.
Fuentes, meanwhile, expressed regret for what he did and claimed he did not know that he could be held criminally liable for his actions.
“Malaki ang aking pagsisisi na napunta ako dito sa aking nagawa. Hindi ko intensyon o sinadyang nangyari dahil bunga ito ng aking galit,” he added.
“Sana matulungan ako na [maayos] na lahat dahil marami pa akong plano sa buhay. Kung makakalabas ako ngayon, sa awa ng Diyos hindi ko na uulitin ang aking nagawa.”
Fuentes and Lucido have agreed to settle the matter amicably and Lucido will no longer file a case against the suspect.
“Humingi na rin siya sa akin ng kapatawaran dahil aniya nabigla lamang siya. Fast approaching na rin ang Holy Week so nasabi ko na sige, papatawarin ko siya at least aware na siya hindi dapat saktan ang mga hayop,” Lucido said.
However, authorities filed a case against Fuentes for violating Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act.
“Public awareness ito sa kanila na hindi dapat mag-maltreat o saktan ang mga hayop tulad ng aso, sa batas, pwede ka mabilanggo nang hanggang one year, kaya hindi ‘yan basta-basta,” Pol. Maj. Jonathan Taneo, Chief of Mambaling Police Station, said. –Report from John Aroa/GB-ag
