Chaining the Real Beasts

Howling out of fear and distress, the last image in its mind was the merciless look on the human’s face.

Cartoon by Luke Perry Saycon/The Communicator

Social media buzzed once again with enraged comments about another display of animal cruelty. Tiger, an aspin from Zambales, had become another victim of a barbaric and brutal treatment. He was seen limping and whimpering, with organs visible, after a market vendor stabbed him over a reportedly stolen piece of meat.

This infuriating incident is only one in the pile of cases involving community animals and family pets falling into the same inhumane fate. One might particularly recall the stories of TikTok: another aspin shot with five improvised dart arrows; Ken, a cat repeatedly kicked to death by a Chinese man; Killua, a golden retriever mercilessly killed by a barangay tanod; and many more victims.

While these cases continuously appear in online platforms and news headlines, nothing has been done to prevent their recurrence. Despite laws like the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (RA 8485), which were implemented to protect animals’ rights, their presence seems barely felt. Perpetrators often go unpunished, and animal cruelty continues to persist.

According to data from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), they have received a total of 673 reports of animal abuse for 2024 alone. Out of these numbers, only eight proceeded with case filing and reached the courtroom. The long trials often appear intimidating and burdensome, causing complainants to eventually give up on pursuing a case.

Animal groups believe that there may have been more cases, with most remaining unreported, as it often involved strays as victims. Some individuals also resort to online posting as an adequate step to report while taking advantage of the attention it brings. With these dilemmas around, no animal will see true justice.

Moreover, one should know that the leash of animal cruelty does not end in bounding pet animals but extends to many others.

Domesticated animals have long served as important sources of income. Livestock, for example, has been sold and traded for meat, dairy, and other poultry products. At the same time, animals like carabaos and horses acted as an aid in livelihoods, particularly in farming and transportation.

Even though these animals make great contributions, most remain subjects of maltreatment by caretakers and owners. The frequency of these incidents often results in public desensitization, deeming these practices as a normal way to make a living.

While poverty has long been an inevitable challenge, the constant disregard for animals’ state in exchange for income should not be exempted. Poultry farms and stockyards tend to limit their funds on proper confinement, necessary food and vitamins, and cleanliness, resulting in deaths and harm of livestock. Carabaos and horses are also mistreated by being constantly overworked despite the scorching heat and lack of proper care.

These cases may already seem worrisome, but there are much more alarming incidents of animal cruelty—illegal slaughter for meat, trafficking, wildlife abuse, and animal testing. These have continuously existed due to the lack of a collective stance against them and the growing public indifference toward animals.

Just because animals cannot express their feelings verbally against these acts does not mean they do not experience pain. Imagine enduring a continuous cycle of these sufferings, where the only ways to call for help are desperate cries and whimpers while clinging to life. It is an unbearable moment no one wishes to be in.

These acts of cruelty have left countless animals traumatized by humans and deprived of living a normal life. How long should this deteriorating dilemma be left unresolved?

Having an established law to protect animal welfare is already the first step to eliminating these impending issues. However, given the law’s failure to impose fitting punishments, addressing its shortcomings should be done first. 

The current punishments for the violations in the amended RA 8485 appear too lenient for offenders to be remorseful and discouraged from reoffending. The government should consider revising the period of incarceration to become longer, along with larger penalties.

Furthermore, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) should be stricter in imposing regulations and guidelines among farms, stockyards, and livestock factories. It should lessen the instances of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and inhumane slaughter. This is to prioritize animal welfare while ensuring food safety standards.

The legal process of animal cruelty cases should be improved, as it often hinders attaining justice. Reducing unnecessary steps to speed up requisite investigations would make filing complaints by citizens easier and convenient.

While these resolutions require national-level actions, an ordinary individual still holds a huge role in taking a stand against animal cruelty. Being an active participant in animal welfare programs may seem like a minimal effort, but it is already considered a huge help by animal groups who need additional manpower. Furthermore, serving as a voice for maltreated animals by spreading advocacy through social media platforms and community groups can be a way to lessen ignorance and spread awareness. 

The exasperating occurrence of viciousness has persisted far too long. There is no need to wait for more pets like Tiger to fall victim to barbaric abuse, for livestock to be ruthlessly treated, for wildlife to suffer due to selfish gain, and for labor companions to be exploited. Now is the time to confront the real beasts of cruelty and end this dilemma once and for all. Let animals be seen as equal beings, deserving to be freed from these cruel chains.

Article: Mary Ellen Faith Montemayor