Progress does not always manifest itself in one most obvious and cataclysmic event. Sometimes, progress comes in small and incremental steps, hardly noticeable, not the stuff for the evening news. But, it is progress however infinitesimal it might be.PAWS volunteer Bradford Feliciano did his part when he took photos of a sack laying on the floor of a vehicle that was ahead of the vehicle he was in. He made sure the photos included the license plates. Bradford knew what was in the sack, and he reported the situation to the Marikina police. God bless their hearts. The Marikina police took action and tracked the license plates to a house that was, coincidentally, a stone's throw from the Philippine Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC). PARC is the shelter run by PAWS.
Lorenzo Sayson protested his arrest, claiming the dog was only being transported to his brother to become his guard dog. Yeah, right. How come the dog was in a sack and her snout wired shut? Sayson said he feared the dog might bite. Unfortunately for Mr. Sayson, the police were not born yesterday. PAWS volunteer Feliciano and the Marikina police knew what this was all about. PAWS stressed that the manner in which the dog was held and transported constituted more than sufficient grounds to file charges for violation of the Philippine Animal Welfare Act, particularly for the illegal transport of a dog. They've got all the bases covered, and Mr. Sayson was out.
Lorenzo Sayson spent four days in jail---couldn't post bail--- and paid a fine of P20,000 (pesos) which is roughly $50 American. That might be puny in our terms but stiff for the common folk in the Philippines. Mr. Sayson now has a criminal record, but there is an added bonus to his arrest. Evidently, according to PAWS, his arrest was very public with most of the neighborhood gawking at the spectacle. Every Pedro and Maria knew that Sayson's arrest was for an attempted dog slaughter and illegal dog transport.
A warm and appreciative embrace for the Marikina police officers for their professionalism and quick action. This kind of response was unheard of when I was a young man in the old country. And God bless Bradford Feliciano. His compassion and civic virtue made this world a better place.
Elizabeth is up for adoption at PAWS. You can still see the scar around her snout, but she's a much happier dog now.
Philippine Animal Welfare Society
philpaws@yahoo.com
Comments
Elizabeth's rescue happened fairly recently, like within the last two months. Surely, the Marikina police will recall the case. I am also planning to send them a link to this post so that they know that the world appreciates their work. You can email Bradford thru PAWS at philpaws@yahoo.com
I am humbled with everything that I have read and truth is, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time WITH MY CAMERA.
Thank you so much all, please feel free to follow my blog and support my plan to raise funds this December through running a half marathon! details will follow!
You can also contact me through my blog!
thanks so much!
- Bradford "Brad" Feliciano