Disturbing video of animal cruelty surfaces

A disturbing video of a dog being killed in public on Saipan surfaced last Sunday after Guam resident Aguarin Iriarte emailed the animal cruelty video to the Saipan Tribune.

“In social circles to the south, there has been a video circulating of a man who appears to be slamming a dog repeatedly on what looks like the pavilion opposite your offices along Beach Road. The video is starkly cold not only because the actions of this heartless man, but because there are a number of others who look on and do nothing,” Iriarte said in his email.

The 8-second video shows a man, who was with a group of friends across the JP Center along Beach Road, slamming the dog twice; once on the ground and the second time on the wall of the barbecue pit in the pavilion.

It was apparent that the dog had been alive prior to being killed at the end of the video. All this was happening while his friends laughed.

“I have forwarded the video to Rep. Ed Propst (Ind-Saipan) who has told me that there are no animal cruelty laws in the CNMI. Guam I am sure has its fair share of animal abuses but this circulating video certainly does not bode well for the image of the Commonwealth,” Iriarte said.

Iriarte also said that this was discovered through a group of his friends on an app particularly for Android cell phones called Whatsapp. The video was passed to friends and didn’t particularly indicate the date or the person who took the footage.

However, that was not the problem. After Saipan Tribune posted the video on social media it had already reached more than 6,000 views and shared by over 200 individuals within 24 hours.

Through social media, the community voiced out their anger, frustration, and grief after watching the video. Majority of them either called for identifying the man who killed the hapless animal or implementing animal cruelty laws on Saipan.

Lack of animal cruelty law

In 2010, former representative Stanley T. Torres introduced House Bill No. 17-35. This particular bill, also called the Animal Protection Act, sought to criminalize the unnecessary harm, suffering, or killing of animals in the CNMI.

This past legislation proposes prohibiting animal abuse, neglect, and pet theft with penalty provisions. It defines cruel mistreatment as torturing or inflicting unnecessary physical injury upon an animal.

It also states that cruel neglect is defined as failing to provide an animal with necessary food, water, or shelter or failing to provide veterinary care for an obvious, serious illness or injury. The bill also showed offenses and fines of up to $1,000 and an imprisonment up to one year or both.

After it was passed by the 17th House of Representatives, the Senate failed to pass the bill and no action was taken since then. Similar legislations in the past from the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th were also introduced but to no avail as no actions were further taken.

In an interview, Propst said that the video was absolutely appalling and is a good example of why CNMI needs animal cruelty laws.

“This monster that slammed the dog unto the wall most likely cannot be prosecuted because there are no animal cruelty laws in existence right now,” he said.

Propst said that Torres’ past legislation is a good one and is looking forward into re-introducing it.

Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, in an interview during a roadside waving yesterday evening, said that he had seen the video as well and said that he does agree that lawmakers should look into the idea of animal cruelty laws.

Saipan Mayor’s Office Dog Control Program manager Spencer Marchadesch said that he had also viewed the video and was in disbelief. Marchadesch said that he is working with some animal advocates here in the CNMI into addressing Torres’ past legislation.

He also noted that possible funding could be provided by the Humane Society if the CNMI were to implement anti-animal cruelty laws.