Dog dies after being hit by barangay chairman in Pasay

A village chairman in Pasay was caught on CCTV camera hitting and killing a neighbor's dog.

In the December 5 footage, Edgardo Cada, Barangay 106 chairman, could be seen standing along Tengco Street while holding a piece of wood at around 3 p.m.

He was instructing a resident to clean the trash and animal excrement scattered outside her house when a dog approached him.

Almost instantly, Cada lifted his arm and hit the dog with the wood he was holding. The blow caused the dog to slump, have a convulsion, and die.

Ruben Yumol, the dog’s owner, said he believes Cada intended to kill his pet.

“Inabangan niya po yung tuta,” said Yumol. “Paglapit na paglapit sa kanya, pinalo po niya. Hindi po nangangagat ‘yun. Naawa po ako doon sa aso. Wala namang muwang ‘yan saka may buhay din naman po ‘yan.”

Yumol also said Cada did not apologize or explain his actions, and even threatened his aunt.

Cada insisted, however, it was not his intention to kill the dog.

“’Nung pinapalinis ko ‘yun, lumapit sa’kin ‘yung aso. Binugaw ko lang. Nagkataon tumama ‘yung kahoy. Wala akong intensyon na patayin ‘yun,” Cada said.

He also denied making threats and added that Yumol and his family were only making a fuss about the incident because they wanted him to pay up.

Yumol belied the allegation.

Together with the Animal Kingdom Foundation, Yumol filed a case before the Pasay prosecutor’s office against Cada for violating the Animal Welfare Act.

Heidi Caguioa, an officer of the organization, said they had also asked the Department of Interior and Local Government to investigate the incident.

“‘Di mo aakalain na that kind of cruelty ay manggagaling sa isang public official,” said Caguioa.

“Hindi kailangan ng prolonged maltreatment or prolonged infliction of harm para magkaroon ng animal cruelty. Naka-experience [ang aso] ng unnecessary pain and that is what really is penalized under the law,” she added.

GMA News tried to get the side of DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño but he has yet to answer texts and calls.

If found guilty, Cada may face a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of not more than P100,000. — MDM, GMA News