San Juan Investigates Animal Pound Drownings Amid Typhoon
At least eight cats have been confirmed dead.
(SPOT.ph) Pledges of “no one gets left behind” from animal lovers might have flooded our newsfeeds at the peak of Typhoon Carina, but it seems one animal pound in San Juan City missed the message.
Viral images and videos on July 24 showed a devastating scene at the San Juan Pound in Barangay Batis where impounded animals were left trapped in cages as floodwaters surged above head level. With no fighting chance at survival, this resulted in the tragic drowning of many cats and dogs.
“It is with profound regret and anger that we address the tragedy that transpired at our City Dog Pound… We understand and share the outrage felt by our residents, animal rights groups, and citizens who have witnessed these appalling images,” the San Juan City Legal Department said in a statement. “We are committed to identifying those responsible for this gross dereliction of duty and ensuring they are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Animal welfare organization Strategic Power for Animal Respondents (SPAR) also alleged that the San Juan Pound is operating without proper registration. They claimed that numerous animals had already died from maltreatment at the facility even before the typhoon hit.
Also read: Give Pets a Fighting Chance If You Need to Evacuate, PAWS Says
Impounded animals left to drown at the San Juan Pound during Typhoon Carina
Fortunately, animal rescue groups like Red Cubs Pet Patrol were still able to save a few survivors at the San Juan Pound once the floodwaters had subsided.
According to a 24 Oras Weekend report on July 28, eight cats were found dead, while over 20 rescued animals have since been relocated to various shelters in Cubao, Quezon City and Angono, Rizal. The exact number of drowned animals remains unverified.
“Umiiyak kami habang nagrerescue kami. Iyak kami nang iyak ang daming patay na pusa na lumulutang. May pusa doon na kahit na lunod-lunod na siya tina-try niya i-survive ang sarili niya,” animal rescuer Veron Cari-An said. “Alam ng caretaker na umaabot lagpas tao ‘yung baha doon, hindi niya pa rin pinakawalan.”
Since 2012, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has advised to “set the animals free if you cannot save them from drowning or evacuate with them” in the event of a typhoon—a reminder not only to individuals but also animal pounds, shelters, breeders, clinics, and boarding facilities.
In fact, greater responsibility falls on local government units that oversee city pounds, a level of accountability that PAWS said was glaringly absent at the San Juan Pound.
“There was no sign of any employee in the facility taking any action to free the animals nor of any one calling for help from ordinary citizens in the area to help save them. The animals were left behind like pieces of furniture,” PAWS said in a statement. “Impounded dogs already have the misfortune of being unwanted, homeless, and they should not be made to suffer in impounding facilities, much less left to die a slow painful death by drowning.”
Red Cubs Pet Patrol is accepting monetary aid for the food, medication, and transportation of the rescued animals at the San Juan Pound. Contributions can be sent via GCash or Maya at 0918-9852-149.
Also read: Baha Ka Lang, Pinoy Kami: Why Are We So Good at Being Funny During Disasters?