Rizal cop in hot water for shooting neighbor's dog

A cop will face charges of malicious mischief for shooting his neighbor's dog inside a compound at Brgy. San Jose, Tereza, Rizal, Cesar Apolinario reported on 24 Oras on Thursday.

Teresa chief of police P/Insp. Richard Ganalon said PO3 Melvin Mendoza may even be charged for violating Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act for shooting the dog owned by the sibling of his neighbor Maricel Comilang.

"'Pag ang property, kagaya ng aso, pinatay (with) malicious intent or malice, pwede siya pumasok sa malicious mischief. At the same time, sasampahan din natin sila ng paglabag sa Animal Welfare Act," Ganalon said.

Mendoza refused to have his face shown on camera but admitted to shooting the dog outside the compound after it had chased him.

The cop said the dog was feared by their neighbors, a claim Comilang denied.

Comilang said Mendoza shot her sibling's dog inside their compound and traumatized her child, who witnessed the dog die two hours after it had been shot.

"Natakot yung anak ko kasi yung putok ng baril, malakas eh. Pareh kami nagulat. Tapos nakita pa niya yung asong duguan, lalo siyang naano, umiyak. Parang nanginginig sa takot," she said. —JST, GMA News