DA warns anew against improper care of cattle

CEBU, Philippines - Animal welfare authorities reminded anew animal traders and slaughterhouse employees to follow the proper handling of animals.

The reminder came in line with a study that shows improper handling of cattle causes “stress” to the animals which increases the presence of salmonella bacteria on their bodies and poses harm to the people who eat the meat.  

The reminder was underscored during the start of the two-day seminar yesterday on “Improved animal welfare on proper care and handling of cattle and swine during transport by land and sea” organized by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Animal traders and meat inspectors from region 7 took part in the seminar.

Two months ago, more than a hundred chickens were found dead after they were brought to the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) due to “stress.”

 Ann Calungsod, meat inspector of DVMF, said earlier that the chickens were transported from Barangay Talamban, Cebu City and were brought to the said office for inspection before they would be slaughtered. However, the chickens were already dead upon arrival.

  City Veterinarian Dr. Pilar Romero has said that the chickens, as well as other animals, should be handled properly and should not be transported under extreme heat.

 “Nakalagay gyud na dapat sa tray ang mga manok. Niya ang sakyanan kinahanglan nga dili huot. Naa man gud uban nga mao ra ni ang number nga pwede masakay pero pasubraan. They (chicken growers) know about this (on how to handle the chickens properly)” she said.

 Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10631 or the Act Amending Certain Sections Of  Republic Act No. 8485, Otherwise Known As “The Animal Welfare Act Of 1998 states “it shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance of shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare.”

 Based on the law, regardless of the resulting condition of the animals, the penalty of two years and one day to three years and/or a fine not exceeding P250,000 shall be imposed on violators.

Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8485 or an Act to Promote Animal Welfare in the Philippines, otherwise known as ‘The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 states: “cruelty in transporting includes overcrowding, placing of animals in the trunks or under the hood trunks of vehicles.”

 The same section of the law says that “it shall be the duty of any owner or operator of any land, air or water public utility transporting pet, wildlife and all other animals to provide in all cases adequate, dean and sanitary facilities for sale conveyance and delivery thereof to their consignee at the place of consignment. They shall provide sufficient food and water for such animals while in transit for more than twelve hours or whenever necessary.”

 Ma. Gracia Dizon-Flores, chief of the Animal Welfare Division of Bureau of Animal Industry  said anyone who has knowledge of improper handling of animals can file a case.

She said that as far as her office is concerned, they have not received any case which is why no one has been penalized.

 However, Dizon-Flores assured that her office will back any report concerning animal welfare.

 She said there are also non-government organizations which are willing to help them implement the law.  (FREEMAN)