Man arrested for firing at cat

A 45-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Monday after allegedly firing his shotgun multiple times at a cat he claimed was attacking his ducklings and chicks. But when authorities responded, no cat — dead or alive — was found at the scene.

The suspect, Glenard Pacifico Viernes, a painter and resident of Rizal Street in Barangay 1, San Lorenzo, was apprehended around 12:20 a.m. on 21 July following reports of a disturbance involving gunfire. The case is being pursued under alarms and scandal in relation to Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

According to police investigation, Viernes had been drinking with companions when he allegedly spotted a cat attacking his poultry. He then retrieved a black Sulun 12-gauge shotgun and fired four shots in the direction of the animal.

Responding officers from the Laoag City Police recovered four empty shotgun cartridges behind the suspect’s residence, but no trace of the animal was located. When asked why violations of the Animal Welfare Act were not included, police explained that no animal body or physical evidence was found to support such a charge.

Viernes voluntarily surrendered the firearm along with two live shotgun shells and IDs. Further inspection revealed a legal issue: although the suspect holds a valid License to Own and Possess Firearms valid until 3 June 2032, the shotgun is registered to a different individual, Joselito del Rosario Buted, with a license valid until 8 March 2032.