24/06/2022
CONVICTED: MARIKINA CAT KILLER.
On July 31 2021, Orange the cat ran into the doorway of Noel Secretaria’s house to seek temporary shelter from the rain. It was the last normal thing Orange ever did.
In the next few seconds, the heartless Secretaria grabbed a piece of wood and hit the animal with such force that Orange let out a sharp cry before he tumbled then twitched and convulsed on the ground in what seemed like death throes.
The horrifying scene unfolded before the eyes of the cat’s owner, Eden. She brought the still breathing cat to the vet and thought that he would survive the ordeal. Orange looked at his owner with sad eyes and managed to crawl using his front legs for the next three days.
Sadly, Orange died after a week of suffering 😢
In October 2021, Eden filed animal cruelty & malicious mishief charges against the unremorseful cat killer who initially denied the charges against him. Thankfully, several eyewitnesses stepped forward and faced with clear testimonies, there was simply no way for Secretaria to deny his guilt.
Marikina MTC Branch 92 Judge Celina De Vera-Casimiro rendered judgment of GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt against Noel Secretaria on May 22, 2022 for the crime of Malicious Mischief and for violating par 1 sec 9 of RA 8485 The Animal Welfare Act, as amended by RA 10631.
Secretaria has been fined and sentenced to six (6) months imprisonment. This conviction will forever be part of his criminal record.
*******
Animal cruelty is a crime. If not caught in the act by law enforcers, animal offenders may still be charged in court for as long as there are affidavits from witnesses which may be filed with the Prosecutor’s Office.
For the proper way of instituting criminal action, it is vital to submit WITNESS AFFIDAVITS before posting on social media or tagging animal welfare groups.
For guidance and assistance from the PAWS legal team, please read in full:
https://paws.org.ph/cruelty-pet-neglect/