Adlaon dog shelter: Cebu City files raps vs. owners, others

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City government, through its city veterinarian Dr. Jessica Maribojoc, has filed a criminal complaint against the owners and caretakers of the illegal dog shelter in Barangay Adlaon at the city prosecutor’s office for violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

Named respondents are dog shelter owner Lorna Oberes, her partner Edwin Casas and unidentified caretakers.

“The undersigned lodges a criminal complaint for violation of Sections 16 and17 of City Ordinance No. 2526 otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Ordinance of Cebu City, Section 6 of Republic Act 8485, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 as amended against the above-mentioned respondents,” read part of the complaint.

Prior to the filing of the complaint, a clarificatory conference with Oberes was done last May 31 after she allegedly abandoned the illegal shelter in Adlaon that had over 100 dogs as reported by the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries earlier.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Edwin Casas reportedly allowed her partner Oberes to live in Barangay Adlaon, Cebu City and allegedly promised to give her financial support for her to raise dogs at that time.

There were only 30 dogs at that time, but, due to the lack of birth control intervention and lack of financial support, the number of dogs increased to 40.

Oberes reportedly admitted she failed to register the dogs with the DVMF being unaware of such a process.

Oberes said she left Barangay Adlaon in February 2023 and never monitored the area after her relationship with her partner “became sour” and left the care of the dogs to their caretakers whose names are still to be identified.

Later, the caretakers also abandoned the place which later led to the discovery of the illegal dog shelter due to the stench in the area that caused so much inconvenience among those who lived nearby.

The city is charging Oberes, Casas and the caretakers for violation of City Ordinance No. 2526, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Ordinance of Cebu City, particularly on the unlawful torture of any animal, neglect to provide adequate care sustenance, and cruelty to animals.

The complaint was filed last July 5, 2023.

“Such act is also in violation of Republic Act 8485, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 as amended which provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance, or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horse fights, 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,” the complaint read. — GAN (FREEMAN)