4 dogs are shot; 2 killed

In an attack whose motives remain unknown as yet, four dogs on Saipan have been shot since last Friday, with two of the animals succumbing to their injuries.

One of the dogs, owned by Mario Taitano, died yesterday due to its injuries from a gunshot wound, even after valiant efforts were made to save it at the Saipan Humane Society clinic in As Perdido.

SHS executive director Lauren Cabrera urges dog owners to confine their dogs to their properties and keep a close eye on them.

She urged those with injured dogs to bring them to the SHS clinic at the Saipan Mayor’s Office Animal Shelter in As Perdido during their operation hours. Check their social media accounts for their hours of operation.

“For any dogs which are dangers or nuisances to the community, please report them to the Saipan Mayor’s Dog Control Program rather than taking the matter into your own hands,” said Cabrera.

According to Public Law 21-31, the Animal Protection Act, it is illegal to mistreat, injure, abandon, or neglect animals. See link: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/21/pl21-31.pdf

Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan), who created animal cruelty laws with Humane Society International, said he was informed “that at least four dogs have been shot in recent days. This is absolutely horrific and unacceptable. I’ve seen the photos and videos of these poor dogs being shot and cannot believe this is happening in our peaceful community. If you know who is shooting these poor dogs, please speak up and report it to the police.”

Taitano, in an interview yesterday, said he’s filed a report with the Department of Public Safety. He apologizes to whoever shot his dogs, but said that it didn’t have to be that way. He said there are animal cruelty laws for a reason.

“If they were in any way disturbing or a nuisance, just shoo them away—do not shoot,” said Taitano. The former lawmaker and current director of the Commonwealth Casino Commission said Harley, his black dog who died, along with his other dog, went missing four or five days ago. His other dog is still alive after also suffering gunshot wounds and hopes she will pull through.

In a separate news release, Cabrera said that even if you don’t care for dogs, this type of cruelty is a big red flag and should concern people.

“Multiple studies have shown that those who intentionally hurt animals are more prone to doing the same to humans—especially toward the vulnerable such as in the case of child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence,” she said.

She quoted a 2017 study that showed that “89% of women who had companion animals during an abusive relationship reported that their animals were threatened, harmed, or killed by their abusive partner.” Read the study here: https://aldf.org/article/the-link-between-cruelty-to-animals-and-violence-toward-humans-2/.

Cabrera thanked the Saipan’s DCP for transporting the injured dog to the clinic.

For any information on those who may be shooting dogs, SHS’ contact is (670) 838-7387 and their website is www.saipanhumanesociety.org/.