Hunger is not a crime — but animal cruelty is

Authorities and animal welfare advocates are seeking public assistance following a brutal case of animal cruelty in Caloocan, where a dog was stabbed to death.

A cash reward of P50,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect responsible for the attack on a stray dog along Malolos Street, Barangay 154, Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City.

Animal welfare groups stressed that poverty and hunger should never be used to justify violence.

“Ang gutom ay hindi kasalanan — but harming an animal is,” advocates said, underscoring that cruelty toward animals is a punishable offense under the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act No. 8485, as amended by Republic Act No. 10631).

The Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) strongly condemned the incident and called on the public to come forward with any information that could help bring the suspect to justice.