IT is illegal to keep and take care of exotic or endangered animals.

This was pointed out by the the National Bureau of Investigation – Dagupan District Office (NBI-DADO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Dagupan City Health Office after the rescue of two civet cats, locally known as ‘musang’, in Barangay Malued in Dagupan City.

NBI-DADO chief Atty. Rizaldy Jaymalin, told The PUNCH that they were alerted by a complaint from a concerned citizen against the pet owner Marween Duca for the foul odor emanating from the latter’s house suspected to be caused by the two pet cats in his house.  

Upon receiving the request, the NBI immediately coordinated with the DENR wildlife enforcement office, and the CHO health and sanitation department, and inspected the premises, and there they found two civet cats – one male, and one female.

During the raid, the area was also found to be unsanitary and a possible breeding ground for mosquitoes, which could cause dengue, Jaymalin added.

In the Philippines, civets can be legally kept as pets, provided that they are captive bred in DENR registered facilities, and have supporting documents. Duca didn’t have both.

“We had the civets confiscated and turned over to the DENR for the cats’ care,” said Jaymalin who clarified that NBI now oversees the enforcement of DENR laws.

After rehabilitation, the civets will be released to their natural habitat, he added.

Meanwhile, Duca explained that the civets were given to him as gifts and decided to keep them because the civets became his ‘lucky charm’, making him win in cockfights.

Jaymalin said charges will be filed against Duca for violating R.A. 9147, commonly known as the Illegal Possession of Wildlife Animals. (Chub Pasion)

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