Latest news with #AnimalWelfareAct
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- GMA Network
Animal welfare group protests alleged maltreatment in Manila Zoo
Some members of an animal welfare group staged a rally at the Luneta Park to raise the issue of alleged malnourished animals at the Manila Zoo, according to a report on "24 Oras" Thursday. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said the animals at the zoo are being fed but they seem to be maltreated because of their situation beause they are not in their natural habitat and they live in small enclosures. PETA added that using a zoo to educate children is not acceptable. GMA News is getting a reaction from the Manila City government, which manages the Manila Zoo. The maltreatment of animals is strictly prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act. According to Republic Act No. 10631 or the Philippine Animal Welfare Act of 2013, any person who is found to torture, hurt or maltreat animals may be imprisoned for up to three years and fined for up to P250,000. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Newsweek
Dog Saved From Horrific Past Finds a Home—Her Reaction Says It All
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A pit bull named Banana is at the center of a viral TikTok video that has left animal lovers heartbroken and furious. The footage, shared by dog rescuer @mjfambro, shows the injured dog called Banana being led into a shelter on a leash. She is covered in scratches and clearly shaken. The June 2 video has racked up more than 485,000 views and nearly 60,000 likes, with the caption: "Here is your reminder to never give a dog away for free and do your best to vet people when rehoming, because Banana paid the price." Newsweek reached out to @mjfambro for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case. Viewers were quick to express their anger and sorrow in the comments. "May the people that did this get the karma they deserve," one wrote. "Breaks my heart knowing what she went through." Another comment read: "People who just give away their pets without proper vetting should be held responsible for the crimes as well." More videos posted by the rescuer show Banana recovering in care, with suggestions she may have been used as a bait dog—a term used for animals forced into dogfighting rings to train more-aggressive dogs. Stock image: A person pets a sad pit bull. Stock image: A person pets a sad pit bull. Erik Gonzalez/iStock / Getty Images Plus What Is a Bait Dog? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that bait dogs are often used in illegal street dogfighting to provoke aggression in other canines. Despite being a felony in all 50 states, as well as in Washington D.C. and U.S. territories, dogfighting continues to operate in the shadows. The practice has a long and brutal history in the U.S., dating back to the 18th century. While some are lured in by the money—raids have uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars, with single fights involving bets as high as $30,000—others are driven by ego or a desire to assert dominance, using dogs as a reflection of their own power. Tragically, those animals that lose often face severe abuse or death. Federal law imposes even-harsher penalties. Under the Animal Welfare Act—bolstered by Congress in 2007 and again in 2014—it is a felony to engage in interstate dogfighting activities or to attend a fight, especially when a child under 16 is present. Violators can face up to three years in prison and fines of $250,000. Despite whatever trauma Banana has endured, she hasn't lost faith in humanity. In another clip, the dog can be seen standing on grass wearing a blue T-shirt to cover her infected shoulder. The voice-over explains that Banana has so much to "unravel," but she is doing amazingly well, considering her circumstances.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
Senior who dragged dog in Pangasinan identified; pet survives
The old man caught on video dragging his dog behind a motorcycle in Calasiao, Pangasinan has been found and has admitted to the incident. Barangay officials from Banaoang traced the man to a village in Dagupan City. With help from the Calasiao Veterinary Office and the police, they visited the man and confirmed that he was the rider seen in the viral video. According to the police, the man claimed the dog was his pet and he had no intention of hurting it. 'Gusto niya ilipat sa bahay ng anak niya kaya itinali niya roon. Ang sabi naman niya, dahan-dahan lang 'yung takbo ng motor niya. Noong una, nakakasabay pa raw 'yung aso. Pero later on, hindi niya napansin na nakaladkad na 'yung aso,' Police Captain Anthony Doctolero, deputy chief of the Calasiao Police Station, said. The man said he only stopped after someone told him that the dog was being dragged. He then carried the dog home. The dog survived with only minor injuries. It was treated immediately by the municipal veterinary team and is now recovering. 'So far 'yung aso is buhay naman at okay naman. May sugat siya sa paa pero nagamot na, naka-bandage na. Malakas na siya,' Calasiao Municipal Veterinarian, Dr. Jorge Bandong said. Authorities explained to the dog owner the potential legal consequences he could face. While the dog remains in his custody, police say they are reviewing whether to file charges under the Animal Welfare Act. 'Pinag-aaralan natin 'yung mga kaso na pwedeng isampa, sa Animal Welfare Act. Papasok siya sa animal cruelty pero pinapaubaya na namin sa Veterinary Office ang legal na aksyon na gagawin,' Doctolero added. — GMA Regional TV News
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
7 Gulf World Marine Park dolphins OK'd to be transferred to another facility: NOAA
The Brief Dolphins are being transferred from Gulf World Marine Park in Florida's Panhandle amid deepening welfare concerns and investigations. 7 of the 11 dolphins will be transferred to a facility in St. Augustine, Florida. Four others expected to be transferred. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, USDA, and FWC have launched investigations or are assisting with investigations. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Seven of the 11 dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park in Florida's Panhandle have received approval to be transferred to another facility in Florida. NOAA Fisheries confirmed to FOX 35 on Monday that it issued an emergency waiver on May 30 to transfer 7 bottlenose dolphins, and that it anticipates issuing another emergency waiver for the remaining four dolphins when a new facility is found to house them. Gulf World Marine Park has been under scrutiny over the last several weeks and months following the deaths of five dolphins and concerning inspection reports from the USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service. FOX 35 reached out to the USDA on Monday for an update. What they're saying "On May 30, NOAA Fisheries issued an emergency waiver to transport 7 bottlenose dolphins to Marineland Dolphin Adventure in Florida. A separate waiver for the remaining 4 rough-toothed dolphins will be issued as soon as Gulf World makes arrangements with a facility that can receive them," NOAA said in a statement. The seven dolphins have been cleared to be transferred to Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine, Florida. That marine park is owned by The Dolphin Company, which owns Gulf World Marine Park and three other facilities in Florida, as well as a number of facilities in Mexico and Central America. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released a new statement on Monday. "APHIS has been in regular contact with NOAA and continues to work collaboratively with state and federal partners. Facilities are required to notify NOAA regarding the movement of marine mammals." "APHIS takes its mission to ensure the humane treatment of animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) very seriously. We continue to conduct inspections and work with facilities to ensure they are in compliance with regulations under the AWA," a spokesperson said in a previous statement. Enforcement actions by the USDA can include letters of warning, fines, animal license suspensions and/or revocations. The backstory At least five dolphins have died at Gulf World Marine Park in Palm Beach County, Florida, sparking outrage and protests about animal rights activists, and investigations by federal and state agencies, including USDA, FWC, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Federal inspection reports note several concerns found within the facility, including dolphin holding tanks filled with algae, broken water filters, lack of shade, and deteriorating facilities. One report notes that a dolphin died during a public show in March 2025, but trainers did not respond quickly due to not being able to see the dolphin at the bottom of the tank due to the level of algae. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has conducted 19 inspections at Gulf World Marine Park since 2014. The most recent inspections were conducted on Jan. 8 and March 4, 2025. Those inspection reports detail a facility seemingly in disrepair: "All the dolphin pools still have an excessive amount of at least 6 inches of algae bloom along all the walls and bottom of pools and clumps of algae floating in pools" - March 4 inspection "When the APHIS inspector was standing above the main pool, looking down into the water, it was difficult to see the dolphins if they are approximately three feet below the water" - March 4 inspection "At the time of the inspection, there is no working filter for dolphin east pool which went down on November 13, 2024. According to staff, the filtration for dolphin west is only functioning at 50 percent" - Jan. 8 inspection "There is an abundance of algae growth in multiple dolphin pools with the inspector scraping algae off a step that was almost 6 inches in length" - Jan. 8 inspection "The facility has lost six maintenance employees in the past three months leaving them with two maintenance employees. Additionally the facility has lost seven animal care employees in the past three months" - Jan. 8 inspection "At the time of the inspection, the penguins had been moved to an indoor room due to colder temperatures. The room where the animals are housed appears to be an storage space with carpet, old sound equipment with cords hanging down the cabinets, paint for crafts in the area, dust and debris throughout the room" - Jan. 8 inspection "The perimeter around the dolphin stadium pool is in the early stages of disrepair with paint flaking off right at the edge of the pool" - Jan. 8 inspection "The facility still has not provided shade over the far side of dolphin east pool where dry guest interactions are done, or the over the main show stage where the dolphins station for food during training sessions with the trainers or during public guest interactions after shows" - Jan. 8 inspection "Along the far wall of the sea lion stadium pool where a seal was swimming, rust is still coming through the wall and running down the wall and into the water" - Jan. 8 inspection FOX 35 Orlando reached out to The Dolphin Company and Gulf World Marine Park on Friday for comment, but did not hear back. According to its website, The Dolphin Company operates 21 dolphin experiences and marine aquariums in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Italy. There are four in Florida: Gulf World, Panama City Marineland, St. Augustine Miami Seaquarium, Miami Dolphin Connection, Duck Key It's unclear if the state's investigation includes the other Florida facilities. USA Today reported that Mexico-based The Dolphin Company filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. The Source The information in this article comes from statements and/or social media posts from Attorney General James Uthmeier, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, public USDA inspection reports, local and national media reports, and a March 24 news release from the City of Panama Beach.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Animal welfare group, school condemn dog cruelty in Pangasinan, Iloilo
Two separate incidents of animal cruelty that occurred in Pangasinan and Iloilo drew flak from an animal welfare group and a school. In CCTV footage, a dog is seen being dragged by a motorcycle in Calasio, Pangasinan. The incident was reported to the barangay, but the suspect has yet to be identified. According to a barangay personnel, the suspect is not a resident of the area. It is also unclear what happened to the dog. The Animal Investigation Project, who condemned the incident, said the dog would most likely die from the injuries it sustained from being dragged by the motorcycle. The investigation is still ongoing. Meanwhile, in Iloilo City, a security guard was relieved from his duty on a university campus after firing a gun. A video showed that two dogs were running after a gun was fired. The security guard admitted the incident. According to the police, the security guard said the dogs have rabies, pose as a threat to students, and that they scatter garbage. GMA Regional TV is reaching out to the security guard, but he has been relieved from his work. The university condemned the incident, while the police said it would help those who plan to file a case against the security guard, who may face charges for violating the Animal Welfare Act. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
