Vizcaya cop in hot water for killing dog

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A policeman based in this northern Philippine province is facing a two-year jail sentence and is likely to lose his job for killing a chained dog and allegedly aiming his gun at its owner. Senior Superintendent Pedro Danguilan, the provincial police director, said administrative and criminal charges have already been filed against PO3 Juan Segundo of Santa Fe Police for violating Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998. Segundo earned the ire of animal lovers after a video footage of the dog he shot was shown last week over GMA News’ prime time newscast "24 Oras." Animal rights advocate and Nueva Vizcaya-based youth leader Early Joy Salunat told GMAnews.TV that Segundo should get the punishment he deserves not only for killing the dog but also for allegedly using his uniform to sow fear among residents.
“Shooting a chained dog in broad daylight and in front of people and school children already makes me sick, but threatening its owner with a gun . . . it’s revolting," she said. Under the Animal Welfare Act, the killing of any animal other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabao and horse is punishable by imprisonment of not less than six months or not more than two two years, a maximum fine of P5, 000, or both. Nueva Vizcaya Governor Ma. Luisa Cuaresma, in a statement, said the policeman should be dismissed from the service. “I can’t believe there are still policemen who can do things like that. He must be kicked out of the uniformed service," she said. Ruth Galasinao, a resident of Solano town’s Quezon village, said Segundo was drunk when he shot her pet dog, Charmee, two times last January 5. She said after shooting the animal, the policeman aimed his Armalite rifle at her. “Charmee was given to us by Juan (Segundo) a long time ago, maybe the dog did not recognize him anymore," Galasinao said. Responding policemen recovered two empty bullet shells - one from an M-16 rifle and another from a .9mm pistol - from the crime scene. In his defense, Segundo said he shot the dog because it had bitten him. He, however, denied pointing the gun at Galasinao. “I was bitten by the dog that’s why I had to shoot him, but I did not threaten Ruth (Galasinao) with my gun," he said. Segundo, 48, has also been charged with grave misconduct before police’s Internal Affairs Service. He is now confined to quarters at the Santa Fe town police station while awaiting trial. - KBK, GMANews.TV