The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) confirmed on Friday that the man responsible for the death of the three-year-old golden retriever, Killua, in Bato, Camarines Sur was indicted for animal cruelty.
PAWS shared a three-page resolution that the provincial prosecutors of Camarines Sur found sufficient grounds to charge Anthony Solares for violating Republic Act No. 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
Prosecutor Whilhenry Villar of the Provincial Prosecution Service in Iriga City, emphasized in the three-page resolution the existence of proper and lawful ways to manage the situation. Solares, bearing the role of a barangay tanod, required that he should have reported the incident to the barangay and looked for the owner. Instead, he resorted to such cruelty to which his actions will never be justified.
However, they added that there was insufficient evidence to charge the suspect with violation of the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 over his apparent involvement in dog meat trading.
Last March, animal rights advocates were outraged after dog owner Vina Rachelle Arazas called for justice over Killua's death and maltreatment. #JusticeForKillua quickly gained attention and sparked conversation among netizens over the much needed protection for animals.
Solares claimed that the dog was aggressive, bit his leg, and allegedly attacked a resident. The CCTV footage showed him chasing after the dog and hitting it repeatedly until death.
An examination was conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry and found that Killua tested positive for rabies.
Solares is subjected to face up to three years imprisonment and with a fine up to P250,000 if found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act.
