Compassion for Joseph Carlo Candare & Awareness of Philippine’s Animal Welfare Act

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UP TRIBUNAL DECISION: STOMPING A KITTEN TO DEATH IN UP IS NOT “MISCONDUCT”

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There’s nothing wrong with anger provided you use it constructively. Wayne Dyer

Meet the adorable kitties that give my family so much joy. They are so loved that we call them the other members of the family. Missy (left) is mine. Kylee (center) belongs to Lauren and Lady (right) is Marielle’s pet. Well, my husband gets to choose among the three but I think he has a thing for Kylee. They talk to each other at the dinner table. No kidding. I understand that not everyone is a cat lover. So when I read about Joseph Carlo Candare who got labeled as a Cat Serial Killer, I was beyond horrified that someone could engage in a brutal act. I gasped at his description, I pulled it on its tail and threw it. Then like some pro wrestler I jumped on it and my feet landed on it’s torso. Slam! Felt good!. As I continued reading, I got more appalled by the comments of the readers as the poster/blogger called for action “Wanted Dead or Alive“. Geesh, what kind of call for action is that? You might be a “Cat Killer Killer”? (Edit April 19- The yoopee multiply entry has been deleted now)

Still seething with anger, I shook my head and tried to understand the actions behind this brutality. Despite my disgust , I turned my thoughts to the student who studies at UP Diliman. What is the university doing about this? Is it providing help to Joseph Carlo Candare (JC)? I know his actions are just so gruesome to comprehend among cat lovers like me. Should I continue on with this anger? What will my anger bring me? Anger is a beneficial one if it is NOT allowed to harden into resentment or used as a battering ram to punish people. Anger signals problems we need to solve or it points to boundaries we need to set. Sometimes it is the final burst of energy before letting go settles in.

Breathe deeply. I can feel all this anger but still take responsibility for my behavior.

Right now, I can act on my anger and move on to a positive resolution.

Since I am not privy to the concrete steps already initiated by the The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) , the university and other groups concerned, let me just provide my own positive resolution:

1. Think of the boy’s welfare. Stop spreading vicious posters about him. How is that going to help? Sure, he is an adult and should be accountable for the consequences of his actions but do we really know what is happening to him? Though JC gave an apology, I believe he needs help and compassion by the agencies concerned not a lynch mob approach. It’s about time to read up on the Libel Law.

Instead of hurling more insults to JC , allow the proper agencies to work on this and file the necessary charges or consequences, if applicable.

2. Provide public awareness to the Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act No. 8485 especially to those who despise cats or dogs or animals. Instead of spreading posters about the Cat Killer, why not spread posters on the Animal Welfare Act and point certain sections such as:

SECTION 6: 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…

Anyone who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than two (2) years or a fine or not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000) nor more that Five thousand pesos (P5,000) or both at the discretion of the Court.

Posters on Animal Welfare bring a more constructive course of action. What can society gain by spreading a poster of a Cat Killer?

True, his actions are pretty disturbing and may be in violation of the law, yet I believe he is not a hopeless case. I hope we all step back a little, take a deep breath and let the proper authorities handle this without resorting to outbursts of emotions and hurting him back online.

A little compassion and understanding will go a long way to prevent a similar case and thus ensure the welfare of our animals.

Note that I am only adding tags below so that any searches on this topic will also land on my blog and provide another perspective of this cat killer issue.



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  • http://www.meowbykate.blogspot.com kate

    very good point. Thank you for sharing.

    btw, your cats are adorable :)

    kates last blog post..i miss you.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    Oh I love my cats dearly.

  • http://tonyocruz.com Tonyo Cruz

    Dear Noemi,

    I think the best way to help this Cat Abuser is to ensure that he is investigated for whatever violations of the law he committed. He must be made to account for his depraved actions. He has to understand that what he did was and is wrong and he must be punished for it.

    Doing that is also compassionate because the wisdom of the law is to make sure that everyone follows society’s modus vivendi to, at the very least, respect the dignity of animals. That is done by enjoining everyone to follow the law and to make sure that violators are punished.

    The saddest thing that could happen is that vigilantes reach the Cat Abuser ahead of law enforcers. I do not condone threats of violence from those who now hate Cat Abuser. I wish they do the right thing by supporting groups such as PAWS to bring Cat Abuser to justice.

    I hope that this incident would raise public awareness on animal rights and on RA 8485.

    By the way, Bruno and Johnny (my cat friends) send their warmest hellos to the cats of the Dado household.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    Oh we are cat lovers, aren’t we? Hello Bruno and Johnny!

    I agree with you that the proper course of action should be taken. I am not an expert on the law so I will allow these agencies to implement the law. But these lynch mob mentality needs to be stopped.

  • http://www.atmaxplorer.com sylv3rblade

    Well I just hope it ends as the one that was publicized on 4chan: The cat beating kid who posted a vid of his maltreatment of his cat. The kid got what he deserved when the cops were knocking on his front door.

    oh and just an after thought,
    Joseph has a lynch mob on his side (though I’m not saying he’s directly affiliated with them) claiming it’s alright to kill animals as we please.

    sylv3rblades last blog post..The 1st Manila Comic Con

  • http://www.VinceGolangco.com Vince

    Hi Noemi!

    I heard about this too and am honestly very disturbed. I have never commented on things like this before but really had to say something when I heard this.

    I didn’t go all out like the other comments I see from the boy’s multiply site and I do agree that those with extreme hatred should calm down and let the authorities handle it.

    Anywayz here’s this is the comment I left… http://www.vincegolangco.com/?p=235

    Vinces last blog post..Bothering me… cat serial killer

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    JC’s supporters should also get some help especially those that laughed as he tortured the cat.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    well I hope UP Diliman will provide the necessary guidance/ investigation and not be swayed by outburst of emotions

  • http://newmedia.com.ph New Media Philippines

    Hi Noemi! Nice post. Done in good taste. What matters is that the kid apologized. Hopefully he really will stop brutalizing cats. It’s amazing how fast people can be mobilized if given a chance to unite under a common interest. Viral Marketing at it’s purest form.

    See you tomorrow at Megamall!

    New Media Philippiness last blog post..Serial UP Cat Killer Enrages Filipino Online Communities

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    The Joy Rojas Event is this afternoon.

    Yeah all this is a voice of outrage. And as usual, it was easily viral because it was posted in a community blog then spread like wildfire.

  • http://maccomplainer.com BrianB

    Read his entry. Seems sincere without irony.

    At least we know who he is. I’ve killed a couple of ducklings ones. They’re beautiful, green and blue but I didn’t kill them by intention. I wanted to steal them away so put them in a can and sealed the lid. I was five. Dead. To escalate the crime, I left them them in a corner somehere kunwari they died of natural causes.

  • http://maccomplainer.com BrianB

    Correction, gooslings pala hindi ducklings.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    It was an accident. How could a 5 year old understand that animals need oxygen? I am sure you learned from your mistake.

    I read his apology too. I felt his sincerity and I leave it to the university, the PAWS or whoever to deal with this. Bashing him won’t help solve his mistake.

  • Nikki

    I really hope 4chan gets wind of this, this guy will live with the guilt for the rest of his life. He certainly doesn’t need to have any physical harm done to him, but he should be branded as “A Cat Killer” for life. What 4chan did to the teen boy who abused his pet cat and posted a public video of it was perfect because this will be a lesson he wont forget for the rest of his life I’m sure.

    People look at you from a different perspective, and some might want to break all relations with you, but you know what? That’s the price you pay for killing or abusing innocent lives. We don’t let up on murders and abusers of children do we? So why let up on people like these?

    From his post I didn’t feel any kind of sincere gestures save for the “It was a loved pet”, but we jump right back into “I guess I’ll stop killing cats for a month or so”. Right back to his own repulsive ways. He should be given help after charges are pressed and his actions are made more public than they are now.

    While your post was tasteful it really made me disappointed inside. Can some of us really just settle for an apology? While a lot of people can’t seem to view animals on the same level as humans as I do, what if I were to put it in this context: A young man has a person problem with young children of a certain ethnic background, he often picks on them when he sees them and one day this escalates to him putting a child in critical condition. Do we accept an apology he gives and simply put him in counseling? Or do we punish him to the full extent, make his name public and known as a child abuser to inform concerned people, and then after he is reprimanded offer him counseling.

    I’m sorry for being so adamant about this but nothing makes me more upset than an animal abuser..

  • http://www.thesecuriousdays.com neva

    To be truly compassionate to him is to show him that his actions are unacceptable to society at large and that it has definite grave consequences.

    Will he really stop if he is let off with a reprimand? I assure you, he won’t.

    Violent acts toward animals have long been recognized as indicators of a dangerous psychopathy that does not confine itself to animals. “Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives,” wrote humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer.

    “Murderers … very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids,”

    To be compassionate to him would be to confine him to a psychiatric institution and be observed by capable doctors.

    This is serious in the sense that this intentional disregard for life may very well translate to future murderous tendencies towards fellow humans.

    nevas last blog post..today cats, tomorrow humans

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    Look I didn’t say an apology is all there is to it. PAWs and UP are taking care of it. Let them do their job. Bashing is not the answer.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    I think the course of action is already done. PAWS and UP are doing something about it. UP since it is an academic institution should include some help to their student.

    What you can do is follow-up the progress with PAWS. Call them up to see the developments.

  • http://newmedia.com.ph New Media Philippines

    Agree with Noemi. Let’s just wait for PAWS and UP to do their thing. Ultimately it’s their call, not ours. To those who are angry with the guy, you’ve already done your share by spreading the word and getting it noticed by the public.

    PS – Noemi video interview is already posted. Thanks!

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    Thanks Carlo. I already saw it! I will write about blogging so I can link it.

  • http://www.gojoeylogano.com Joey Logano

    Noemi you’re cats sure are awesome :)

  • http://megamomph.wordpress.com Pinay MegaMom

    Hi Noemi!
    First of all, I was glad to have finally met you in person at our moms’ EB (with Keng) weeks ago.
    Now re: this post, your even keel is just what the blog world needs. I applaud your fairness and sense of justice. I’m not really a cat lover (although my daughter is) but I cannot imagine what would motivate someone to perform such acts of cruelty. So you are right, while it disturbs me, let us leave it to the experts to deal with it.
    Somehow, I hope this fellow learns his lesson. And I hope that it will be the end of it.

    Pinay MegaMoms last blog post..Color My World

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    Hello Megamom. It was just so exciting to meet you. Truly a mega mom. It was pretty disturbing but since the authorities are dealing already on this matter, I hope justice prevails and the boy learns his lesson.

    Incidentally, the “cat killer killer ” entry is now removed.

  • xxxx

    Mainstream media got wind of this now.. It’s on TV. He is sooooo dead.

  • Lev

    Hi! I’m UP student and I just have to say I agree with you. The reaction to Candare’s blogpost was totally out of proportion and very immature. I expected rationality and compassion from the students of the National University, but it seems my expectations were too high.

    While I sympathize with the bereaved, I am more worried about Candare than anything. It has become mob rule and if physical harm does not reach him, social and psychological harm will.

  • emmallari

    hi.

    i personally think there’s an unforgivable overreaction on the cat killer issue.

    1) because people judged mr.candare solely on the basis of one blog post
    2) because people rallied for punishments that were not even commensurate and corrective to begin with
    3) because everyone is crystal balling what mr.candare will become-a serial killer.

    yes, i was also expecting people to be more rational on this one. but it was rather disappointing.

    killing cats is bad. but dismissing logic isn’t also something you should be so proud and passionate about.

    btw, i’m referring to the people who overreacted on this issue. =)

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    The over reaction was just too much. Anger towards the incident is understandable. What I found so disgusting is how the anger was used to destroy JC.

  • hope

    I’m sorry, but are you really sure that Jc’s supporters who were there laughed when JC tortured the cat?

  • hope

    He did apologized, countless times..But will people listen??

  • hope

    that is so true..

  • hope

    yup..i saw him..he really is in a bad shape..

  • hope

    You are soo right!! i know what he did was wrong, but the comments are just too much.. One even posted that Jc’s next blog should be a suicide note..Can you believe it? Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that people use their heads, i mean brains..

  • catkillersshouldgotojail

    Actually, he wasn’t labeled by the public as a Cat Serial Killer. If you carefully read his blog, he called himself one.

    A lot of animal welfare activists sent him nasty personal messages in multiply. I think we can’t feel compassion for everybody because we don’t live in an ideal world.

    But I also think you have a good heart and it’s very easy for you to look even consider looking at his perspective because you’re a mom. (I say that as a complement) :)

    Cat Serial Killer eventually gave a public apology– which I bet wouldn’t even happen if the public did not get angry at him. If people did not react that way, maybe he’d kill another cat the next time he wants to “have fun”

  • hypocrites

    i bet all those people who replied with angry comments to that UP kid eat FRIED CHICKEN and BEEF. thats kinda hypocrites. they feel sorry for the cat and yet at the same time they are not even vegetarian. LOL!

  • Againstanimalcruelty

    Yes he did apologize but is that it? One can kill an innocent animal then just say sorry pag nahuli, Ok na? He did mention in his blog that he will do it again and can’t control himself and He killed cats before and this is not his first time. He keeps on using “cat” but the truth is he brutally killed a One Month old KITTEN. We Animal Advocates didn’t brand him Serial Cat killer, it’s self acclaimed, If you read his blog. We have tons of members, ONE person made that Poster, It was putted down by fellow members as well. Many are enraged with what he did. You don’t have to be an animal lover to feel anger and disgust over Joseph Candare. For people to believe he is really sorry, that’s just naive.

  • Againstanimalcruelty

    Oh and I am vegetarian. Sorry don’t want to sound rude but just because you eat meat you have no right to feel compassion.

  • Againstanimalcruelty

    So If you eat meat, you’re a hypocrite If you have a pet dog or a cat? You eat animals, how can you love a dog and care for it like a family member?

  • http://sunchoke.net stoxbnx3

    i agree. i think expulsion is too much.

    stoxbnx3s last blog post..PhotoHunt: Purple

  • marco’s polo

    well, we don’t keep chickens and cows for pets.

    so there.

  • marco’s polo

    but we don’t keep chickens and cows as pets. so there.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    I am a vegetarian btw.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    I became a vegetarian for health reasons.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

    I guess as a mom I feel that this boy should be given a chance to reform, to mend his ways. Why can’t we do that? Let’s move on with our anger.

  • Againstanimalcruelty

    That’s what he gets for blogging something that sick, he offended and hurt some people. His sick actions will never be forgotten by some people. I don’t know that kitten but I am also greatly affected. That kitten had a collar and many people cared for it. Don’t get me wrong I never pmed him but I can’t blame these people. Let’s not get in the way just because some people overreacted. Let’s not forget what he did, how he did it and what he’s capable of doing.

  • Againstanimalcruelty

    I became vegetarian, cold turkey, when I learned about the cruelty of factory farming. It’s nice that you’re vegetarian whatever your reasons are. And I’m a mom too.

  • Againstanimalcruelty

    Well these “hypocrites” don’t eat cats so I think they have the right to be furious about the senseless death of an innocent kitten.

  • uji

    I’m appalled with what he did to the cat/kitten. I agree that he should be responsible for his actions which means that the law should take effect. If he needs to pay a fine or be imprisoned, so be it. if under school law, his action calls for expulsion, so be it. compassion does not mean letting him off the hook. but we also need to recognize that he is a human being capable of change, especially if people help him or give him a chance. to deny that to him is not being humane. if you love or care for an animal, how much more a person?

    and for those angry, don’t blame the guy for your anger, you let anger control you. good for you if it does you any good.

  • Albert B

    There is a Multiply blog defending JC Candare Click Here

  • hypocrites

    what i dont understand is that he even add the “cat killing” story to his blog. and he seems to enjoy it. the way he told the story made it even more offensive. thats a dumb move. its like if you kill people, you cant just blog about your “killing of random people” because youre gonna get caught. haha. (thats what he get). anyways.. he seems like he really hates CATs!

    but to people out there whos not even a vegetarian and yet he/she gets pissed off of that cat killer from UP just better be quiet. (im not vegetarian myself though.)

  • Rohnskituen

    Which is why the Philippines is going to be a third world country for a long time. Expulsion is too much? Here in Hong Kong, the dude would get jail term and a permament record, it’s a criminal offense here you see.

    Kung sabagay, you live in a country where people eat cats and dogs, kasama pa police nyo.

    Although I agree that mob rule is never a good thing, I also understand that sometimes History makes an example of someone, and sad be it, seems like he is the chosen one. Message received?? Laws are laws..

    tsk tsk.. tiga UP pa namn

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