The Philippine Animal Welfare Society believes starvation is the reason why cats in a barangay-run pound in Dasmarinas, Cavite were driven to cannibalism. 

Viral video by fur parent Yvette Mayo earlier showed 3 dead cats inside the holding facility of Barangay San Jose, with the other cats eating the bodies of 2 of the dead felines. 

Cats starved into cannibalism? Pound in Cavite criticized over allegedly appalling conditions

Barangay San Jose chairman Jeff Frani has denied neglecting the cats, and even showed off brand new bags of cat food for the felines. He said the barangay passed an ordinance in January to keep stray dogs and cats off the streets. 

In an interview, PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera said that from her experience as a cat rescuer, it is very unlikely for a cat to attack and kill another cat for food. 

“Very unlikely na yung cat aatake o kakainin niya ‘yung meat nung namatay na pusa unless gutom na gutom na talaga siya. Hindi ‘yun normal cat behavior. I think lumulusot lang yung barangay officials na ‘yan, na talagang pinabayaan nila na palagay nila, komo cat na nakuha na sa làbas wala nang magrereklamo,” Cabrera said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. 

(It is very unlikely for a cat to attack or eat the meat of a dead cat unless it was very, very hungry. It is not normal cat behavior. I think the barangay officials are making excuses, that they really neglected these cats, that they thought no one would complain because these cats were caught outside.) 

She also urged Mayo and any other witnesses to contact PAWS so they could file a case against the barangay officials for animal cruelty. 

Section 6 of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare.”

Republic Act 10631, meanwhile, states that any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect could face imprisonment of 1 year and six months and 1 day to 2 years and/or a fine of P100,000 if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect dies.

Cabrera said that in the case of overpopulation, city pounds usually euthanize stray dogs and cats if left unclaimed. 

"Kaya importante ang kapon at walang asong gala kung walang tang pabaya. Being a responsible owner saves lives," she said.