A Barangay has Called for "Oplan 'Dog'Hang" and PAWS is Not Having It

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has called out officials of Baranggay Capri, Novaliches for an image circulating in social media, promoting “Oplan ‘Dog’hang,” what appears to be a barangay ordinance that aims to clear streets of stray dogs using questionable procedures. The copy on the image reads, “’Wag manlaban, isuko na ang alagang hayop upang hindi makapinsala at makadumi sa kapaligiran.”

PAWS has posted a statement on its Facebook page:

“PAWS condemns the Oplan “Dog” Hang launched by Barangay Capri, Novaliches QC.

“The use of the term "dog"-hang whether as an allusion to “tokhang” (used colloquially to mean "to summarily kill someone") or as a way to encourage violent acts towards animals (ie. “hang”) as a means of animal control is wrong…

“By telling the public to surrender their animals to the pound, Barangay Capri officials encourage pet abandonment instead of educating them to become responsible pet owners.”

The group has also denied that the LGU of Barangay Capri was ever in contact with them. “Barangay Capri claims that the LGU regularly coordinates with PAWS and other animal welfare groups about adoptions. This is not true. Animal welfare shelters are not repositories of stray animals. PAWS focuses on the prevention of pet homelessness through education, lobbying and spay-neuter.”

Section 6 of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines specifically cites that it is “unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animals,” and that during the instances when the law allows the killing of animals, the act “should be done through humane procedures at all times… For this purpose, humane procedures shall mean the use of the most scientific methods available as may be determined and approved by the Committee [on Animal Welfare].”

Hundreds of concerned netizens have posted their thoughts on the Facebook pages of barangay officials Christian A. Cando, Agnes M. Cando, and Arnie A. Cando, who were pictured in the viral poster; however, most public posts and comments in their timelines have since been deleted.

As of press time, the officials of Barangay Capri have not released a statement regarding the matter.

This story originally appeared on Femalenetwork.com. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.