By CESAR JOLITO III

A resident of Bacolod City has been sentenced to two years in prison for fatally shooting a dog, marking a rare conviction in the city for animal cruelty.

An animal welfare group, CARE Inc. said the court found Dominador Bangero guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8485, the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

CARE Inc. said Bangero claimed he shot Skittles, a Siberian husky, in February 2023, because it had entered his eatery and “went wild,” posing a supposed threat.

Skittles was discovered bleeding in the middle of the road in Barangay Alijis.

The dog had sustained a gunshot wound and underwent surgery but died days later due to severe internal injuries.

“Nangibabaw ang happiness na makalipas ang mahabang panahon, nakuha ang justice for Skittles,” CARE Inc. spokesperson Lowella Sanicas said.

“This is the first case na nag-file ng kaso sa tao at natapos talaga hanggang nakapagbigay ng sentence ang court. Animal cruelty, hindi biro dahil may nabibilanggo talaga,” she added.

Bangero was sentenced to one year, nine months and one day to two years of imprisonment.

He was also ordered to pay P100,000 in fines, P25,000 in moral damages to the complainant, P25,000 in exemplary damages, and P5,000 in temperate damages.

The case highlights the legal consequences of animal cruelty and is seen by advocates as a milestone for animal welfare in the city./CJ, WDJ