At least 14 cats were killed in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City last month in what was seen as an incident of cat hate by officials of the posh village.
In a statement last week, the Dasmariñas Village Association (DVA) told its residents that eight missing cats were found dead along Avocado, Calumpang, and Paraiso streets.
It added that another three cats were each found dead at the village park and animal shelter since January 13.
“None of these cats died of natural causes. In the last horrific instance, paint thinner was cruelly poured over the cat who died a slow and painful death from chemical burns,” the statement read.
The DVA also said there was a case when a village resident who regularly feeds stray cats found a threatening message on his car that read: “You stop feeding cats!! Our village is no cat sanctuary. Or else….”
Due to this, the Asian arm of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) offered a P50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the incident.
“It's imperative that any community faced with a violent act such as the vicious killing of the community cats of Dasmariñas Village take measures to find the culprit or culprits and bring them to justice,” PETA Asia Vice President for International Operations Jason Baker said.
“Animal abusers are a danger to everyone: They take their issues out on whomever is available to them, human or nonhuman, and must be caught before they act again,” he added.
Baker also warned that violators of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 may be jailed up to three years with a fine of up to P250,000.