De Lima wishes to adopt rescued abused stray cat 'Van'

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has deplored the "heartless and barbaric" treatment of a stray cat which was rescued by a security guard after reportedly being tied to and dragged by a truck at Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City, last June 14.

De Lima, an animal lover who owns dogs of different breeds and sizes and has stray cats inside her detention quarters in Camp Crame, said she hopes to adopt and pet the rescued cat named by her temporary keepers as "Van."

"'Van' was reportedly forced to run, repeatedly, behind the truck. Utterly heartless and barbaric!" she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 536.

"I wish to adopt 'Van' and be allowed to take care of him here in my detention quarters, along with my other stray cats. Please..." added De Lima.

In a Facebook post by Cats of Araneta, the animal welfare group shared that Van was found with lacerations on his neck from being tied tightly to a delivery truck, adding that the cat's injuries showed that he was forced to run behind the truck repeatedly.

It was an unnamed security guard at Araneta Center who reportedly cut the rope and freed the cat who was then already limping and in pain.

Luchie Diaz, one of the founders of Cats of Araneta, claimed that their group is mulling to file criminal charges against the truck driver and his companions after confirming the suspects' identities.

The lady Senator from Bicol admitted that the harrowing ordeal of the stray cat extremely saddened her because she is still mourning the recent loss of her favorite stray cat named "Bran" - who had the same white fur like "Van" - last June 12.

"Humans must learn to respect lesser and weaker creatures. No to cruelty to animals!" said De Lima.

Meanwhile, De Lima lauded the security guard for rescuing Van and the Cats of Araneta for seeking justice on the abused cat's behalf.

"I laud the unnamed security guard who rescued 'Van', by cutting him loose from the rope around his neck, as tied at the back of a delivery truck. [I] also laud the volunteer group, 'Cats of Araneta', for promptly giving aid to 'Van' and taking steps to seek justice on his behalf," she pointed out

De Lima also expressed her full support to Cats of Araneta in their intended filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act.