A Call on the Philippine National Police of Kidapawan City to Make Decisive, Intentional and Speedy Actions for the Arrest and Apprehension of the Perpetrator Accountable for the Death of Whitey. 

Whitey and three other dogs, Milo, Mila and Dodong are community dogs of the residents of Purok Kiwi, Ortega Subdivision, Kidapawan City. They are regarded as members of the neighborhood, and treated with love and compassion. Whitey, Milo, Mila and Dodong took upon themselves to guard and watch over the households. 

Among the four community dogs, Whitey was the most kind and gentle. All his life, he never got into a dog fight, he never showed any aggressive behavior, he had never posed any danger to the life or limb of a human being. On the night of May 31, 2023, Whitey, Milo and Dodong were lying peacefully along the empty road across the residence of former Kidapawan City Councilor Lauro Taynan. The Taynans are one of the families who took care of Whitey. Then suddenly, from somewhere, someone shot the dogs. Milo and Dodong managed to run away but not Whitey.  Whitey was targeted and shot. He was brought to a veterinarian in Kidapawan City. However, the bullet could not be removed because it was lodged in his spinal cord. 

With the help of many concerned individuals from many parts of the country, and Purpaws, funds were raised for Whitey’s operation in Davao Emergency Veterinary Hospital on June 7, 2023. There, it was found out that Whitey has two bullets in his body- one in his leg and the other bullet had lodged in his spinal cord, causing immense damage. The veterinarians did all they could to remove the bullets. However, on the afternoon of June 8, 2023, Whitey did not make it. As stated by the Davao Emergency Veterinary Hospital, “Whitey succumbed to his injuries caused by the multiple gunshots. One of the bullets had lodged in his spinal cord, causing immense damage.” 

Whitey was laid to rest in his community on June 9, 2023. 

What had been done to Whitey is a clear case of animal cruelty. As stipulated in RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by RA 10631 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations, it is very glaringly clear that Whitey’s rights and welfare had been grossly violated by the perpetrator: 

General Provisions of IRR “These Rules and Regulations shall be strictly construed in favour of the welfare and rights of animals by ensuring the protection and security of their five basic freedoms: 

1.      Freedom from hunger or thirst

2.      Freedom from discomfort

3.      Freedom from pain, injury or disease

4.      Freedom to express normal behaviour

5.      Freedom from fear and distress

Section 6, Rule 6.1 of IRR. Cruelty to animals refers to acts or omissions towards animals inflicted either physically or psychologically including acts of neglect, and causing the same to suffer from unnecessary pain, suffering and distress. 

An act of cruelty, abuse and maltreatment shall include but not shall be limited to the following: 

a.      ) An act that causes unnecessary animal suffering or pain 

Section 9, RA 10631.  Any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect shall upon commission by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment and/or fine, as indicated in the following graduated scale: 

(1)   Imprisonment of one (1) year and six (6) months and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or a fine not exceeding Ph100,000.00 if the animal subjected to cruelty or maltreatment dies. 

Let the CCTV footage, the x-ray results of Whitey’s injuries, the bullets taken from his body, and all the available data and information speak. The evidences are already there. A crime had been committed. Arrest and jail the shooter who killed Whitey. 

We, the undersigned, call on the Philippine National Police of Kidapawan City to make necessary, intentional, decisive and swift actions to arrest and apprehend the perpetrator of such barbaric act. 

Justice for Whitey! 

CCTV Footage

Stop Animal Cruelty and Abuse!

Promote and Protect Animal Welfare!