ROSALES, Pangasinan -- An incumbent and reelectionist barangay kagawad and two others were arrested as they slaughter a dog in Barangay Rizal here on Tuesday.
The Rosales police identified those arrested for violation of the Animal Welfare Act as incumbent barangay kagawad (village councilor) Joven Ledda; Danilo Morden, farmer; and Renato Caramat, a farm helper.
Ledda and the two other men were caught in the act of butchering a dog and are now under the custody of the Rosales police.
Meanwhile, provincial election supervisor Atty. Marino Salas of the Commission on Election Pangasinan, said Ledda would not be disqualified from running for the election due to the case of animal abuse filed against him.
“A candidate, before he can be disqualified, needs to be convicted by final judgment of the court. Even though a case is filed, he can still run in the elections,” said Salas.
Section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act stipulates an imprisonment of six months to two years, or a fine of PHP1,000 to PHP5,000 or both, depending on the discretion of the court. (PNA)
