Photo courtesy of CARA Welfare Philippines Facebook
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A community cat at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City died after reportedly being kicked by a person who is most probably a foreigner.
The cat was 鈥渞esting鈥� in the park when a Chinese kicked it, according to nonprofit animal organization CARA Welfare Philippines said.
Citing a closed-circuit television footage taken on January 4, the group said the kick appeared to have killed the animal.
鈥淲hen confronted and brought to the barangay, the man was arrogant and refused to provide his address,鈥� the group said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
鈥淗e told us to write to the Chinese Embassy. Because of this, he remains free to roam the streets, to roam the gardens,鈥� the organization reported.
鈥淲e seek your help to know the man鈥檚 identity and whereabouts in order to proceed with the filing of a case against him,鈥� CARA Welfare Philippines pleaded.
The group pointed out that the incident was a blatant violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 8485.
Under RA 8485, also known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, any acts of cruelty, abuse and killing of animals are punishable by law.
READ: Ignoring animal cruelty, neglect will lead to more severe abuses, says Poe
Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, Sen. Grace Poe condemned the incident and urged authorities to hold the 鈥渃at killer鈥� accountable.
鈥淭hat community should be a safe haven for pet cats and dogs. No animal should be subject to cruel and unwarranted abuse,鈥� Poe said in Filipino.
Poe then pushed for the passage of her bill that would impose a heftier fine on animal abusers.
The bill also seeks to empower local government units, particularly barangays, to handle cases of cruelty and neglect of animals.
鈥淎 stronger and more responsive Animal Welfare Law in place would have immediately caught the perpetrator and made him answerable to his crime,鈥� she said.
The measure is up for approval on third reading in the Senate.