Cretin of a human being

I have always been known to be an advocate of animal rescue and adoption. I have been so for years. So, when I read about an idiotic security guard of a well-known mall, caught on video throwing a puppy to its death from a pedestrian bridge in order to drive away youngsters, I was incensed. So many thoughts flashed through my mind, many of which I cannot state here. Suffice it to say I did not have nice words for the cruel security guard.

The crime took place last July 11 when Jojo Malecdem, a security guard posted at SM North EDSA was seen by witnesses seizing the puppy from youngsters and throwing it off the bridge. The puppy was rushed to a vet but was already dead when it arrived. Because there were witnesses and even video footage, social media did its part. The outrage was quick. So was the reaction of SM North EDSA which sought to distance itself from the crime since the guard in question was hired from an agency. SM is a pet-friendly mall after all. They strongly condemned the act and called the attention of the security agency that employed the guard.

The security agency was likewise quick to do damage control, dismissing the guard in question and promising to launch an investigation. But netizens want more than just investigations and dismissals. They want the guard’s head.

Quoting from Section 6 of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, “it shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, or to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to fights, to kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care.” This act of throwing a puppy from a pedestrian bridge is a clear violation of said section. Section 9 states the punishment of “Imprisonment of one (1) year and six (6) months and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (?100,000.00) if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect dies.”

The Quezon City government will launch its own investigation into the incident. An animal welfare group has vowed to file a case of animal cruelty against the guard. I hope this cretin of a human being now realizes the evil of his act, gets what’s coming to him, and hopefully, it serves as a warning to all would-be animal cruelty perpetrators to think twice before doing so. There are many pet and animal lovers around with cameras, and social media will not stand for incidents such as this one.