CAVITE – A man was arrested after allegedly firing an airsoft gun at a dog that chased him in Naic, Cavite, on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

The Cavite Police Provincial Office identified the suspect as Ivan Paul R. De Guzman.

Initial investigation says the suspect was driving an e-bike when he was chased by the dog. A few moments later, he returned to the area with an air gun pistol and reportedly shot the dog, causing alarm in the vicinity.

Barangay officials immediately responded to the scene and sought the help of Naic Municipal Police Station (MPS).

Naic MPS Chief Col. Resty E. Soriano told the Manila Bulletin that the dog survived the attack but sustained red marks on the skin. Authorities are still waiting for the official medical report.

Recovered from the scene was a black air gun pistol loaded with 22 pellets.

The police stated that an air gun is not classified as a firearm because it uses air compression to propel the bullet rather than burning gunpowder or other combustion methods. 

However, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban covers “air gun, airsoft guns, and their replica/imitation in whatever form that can cause an ordinary person to believe that they are real.”

The suspect is now under the custody of Naic MPS and is facing charges for alarm and scandal and violating the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and the Comelec gun ban.

(MANILA BULLETIN)