Letter to the Editor – On city hall's ban on 'tingal'

This is in reaction to your news report a few days ago on the City Hall's ban on cruel method in slaughtering animals.

I commend Councilor Christopher Alix for filing the measure to ban the use of "tingal" in slaughtering animals.

"Tingal" refers to the act of forcing water through the mouth of a fully conscious animal set for slaughter that would result in bloating and eventual suffocation. It is already morally wrong and unjustifiable to slaughter animals (or non humans) that feel pain and suffering for human consumption. The least we humans can do is to minimize their pain and suffering as much as possible and do it as humanely as possible.

I also commend Councilor Edgardo Labella, chair of the council committee on laws, ordinance, good government and public accountability and City Veterinarian Alice Utlang for supporting the move to outlaw this cruel practice.

It is not without reason why the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 or Republic Act 8485 is passed. It is reassuring to know that there are people in our government who cares to speak out for the voiceless and feel their pain and suffering.

I hope our local government officials will really enforce the laws by heart and extend their scope of protection to include cruelty and abuse of dogs and other domesticated animals.

As the great Mahatma Ghandi once said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Glenn Lim
Un Heng Building
ML Quezon Avenue
Casuntingan, Mandaue City