Stray Animals Are Reportedly Being Poisoned at This Memorial Park

(SPOT.ph) Some community animals at the Manila Memorial Park Cemetery in Parañaque allegedly died of poisoning, according to an animal welfare group taking care of the cats and dogs there, with the cemetery management issuing an apology and assuring the public it would resolve the "distressing" issue.

Animal welfare group Humans for Animals PH made the issue public on October 19 when it condemned the "brutal killing" of cats and dogs at a cemetery where the management allegedly wanted to "eradicate" the animals.

"Some of the animals killed were the very same ones we had fixed. This is a huge blow to us, but the pain we feel is nothing compared to what animals endure at the hands of humans," the group said in a Facebook post. 

"We urge animal welfare advocates everywhere to look out for the animals in our respective communities. Let the evil people, the ones who harm innocent lives, know that we are watching. Let them know that we care about these animals and that we stand with them."

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What happened to community animals at the Manila Memorial Park

Humans for Animals PH reposted a video of a dog squirming as he tried to stand up. It was what some of the community animals at the Manila Memorial Park went through before dying due to alleged poisoning, Kay Alba of Humans for Animals PH said.

This wasn't the first time the animal welfare group worked with the park management to humanely control the growing population of community animals. In July 2023, the cemetery and the group entered into a partnership for a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) project as the group explained it was the most humane way of handling community animals.

In case you don't know, TNVR is an effective method in controling animal population, as catching and removing these animals from their territory will only mean they will be replaced by other possibly unvaccinated, unneutered/unspayed animals from outside that space to fill the newly available territory, hence the term vacuum effect. By neutering/spaying and vaccinating them before returning them to their territory, it solves the issue of animal overpopulation while keeping these animals safe from harm.

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Manila Memorial Park's apology to the alleged animal poisoning

Manila Memorial Park issued an apology on October 21, saying it acknowledged what happened within its premises and takes "full responsibility." It also "deeply regrets" the distress caused by the incidents.

"We are equally surprised by the treatment done to these animals in the video that have been circulating around. This act of cruelty goes against our values and principles as an organization, and we are committed to resolving this issue with utmost urgency."

"We are taking immediate action to further investigate the reports made in the social media posts. We have been working closely with the City Government of Paranaque and the City Veterinarian's Office to help us in addressing this issue immediately and effectively—for a more humane and safe transfer of these innocent animals," it said in its Facebook post with mostly angry reactions.

Humans for Animals PH has this to say:

"If you truly cared about the welfare of the animals from the beginning, you would have done something to keep such things from happening over and over again."

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