Cat shot dead in Pangasinan; owner seeks justice

A pet cat was shot dead in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, prompting its owner to seek justice as an animal welfare group condemned the incident as a violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

CCTV footage taken evening on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Sitio Interior, Barangay Coliling captured the sound of a gunshot before showing a cat running through an alley. In another camera angle, the cat was seen collapsing and convulsing before dying.

Jeremy de Guzman, the cat's owner, said he and his family were away when the incident happened. They confirmed later what happened through relatives and CCTV footage.

"Pag-uwi namin dito, nagulat po kami. Iyong pusa namin, si Patrick, nandito na po, nakahandusay. Patay na po siya. Ang tama po niya ay tama ng baril. Confirm po namin kung anong nangyari kasi wala kami rito during that time. Pero confirm namin sa tito, tita ko rito sa bahay nila. Lahat naman ng CCTV footage tugma," he said.

(We were surprised as soon as we returned. Our cat Patrick lay dead. He had a gunshot wound. We confirmed what happened because we were not here [when it happened]. But we confirmed with our uncle, aunt who were at their house. All of the CCTV footage showed the same thing.)

De Guzman said another one of his rescued cats had also been shot on July 8 and is still recovering.

The family has identified a person of interest.

They reported the incident to the police, but the complaint was endorsed to the barangay. Authorities said the cat may have been shot with an airsoft gun.

De Guzman, who rescues stray cats, said he hopes the person responsible will be identified and held accountable.

"May history na po ng mga pusa makikita namin diyan. Kaso walang nakakita, walang CCTV, walang kahit ano. Kung magrereklamo rin kami, walang pruweba," he said.

(We have a history of the cats that we find here. But we have no witnesses, no CCTV, nothing of any kind. If we file a complaint, we have no proof.)

The Animal Kingdom Foundation condemned the incident, saying it could constitute animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act.

Foundation director, Atty. Heidi Marquez-Caguioa, said harming or killing domestic animals is prohibited by law.

"Mga insidente ng pamamaril, pananakit, pananaksak ng mga hayop ay itinuturing natin na animal cruelty or maltreatment sa ating mga hayop, lalong-lalo na sa mga pets. Ito'y ipinagbabawal sa ating batas," she said.

(Incidents of shooting, harm, stabbing of animals are considered animal cruelty or maltreatment, especially to pets. This is prohibited by our laws.)

The foundation said the family may also bring the complaint to the organization to help facilitate a proper investigation. —GMA Regional TV News