Rizal court convicts man for maltreating goats

A court in Rizal province has convicted a man for "maltreating" and "torturing" goats in 2008.

Based on court documents shared by Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Executive Director Anna Cabrera to GMA News Online, the Binanonan Regional Trial Court Branch 2 convicted Andres Paralejas of animal abuse.

The documents said several witnesses saw Paralejas slapping, kicking and punching two goats on October 19, 2008. A witness said one of the goats had to be slaughtered afterward due to its injuries, while the other one gave birth prematurely.

Paralejas, during trial, denied the accusation and maintained he was watching television at the time the abuse happened. He, however, later admitted to being present at the vicinity.

"Accused admitted his presence and should come up with a better reason on why he was the vicinity on October 19, 2008, therefore were near these animals, to which two witnesses identified and saw him kick and hit. Accused is therefore found guilty of maltreatment of goats," Presiding Judge George Andy Pantanosas said in his ruling.

For violating Republic Act (RA) 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 as amended, the Binangonan court ordered Paralejas to pay a fine of P4,000.

Apart from the case, Cabrera said the suspect has been "notorious" for being mean to goats and, at one point, even forcibly fed rocks to one goat that eventually died.

Section 6 of RA 8485 states that "it shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animal." —KBK, GMA News