08/03/2026
MAN WHO MERCILESSLY BEAT A STRAY CAT TO DEATH FOUND GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY.
When Celine arrived home one day, she noticed something unusual: Puti, the gentle white stray cat who would always run up to greet her after work, was nowhere to be found. She searched for her everywhere, her heart heavy with the familiar fear felt by anyone who has ever cared for a homeless animal: that something terrible may have happened to Puti.
When Celine checked their CCTV footage, what she saw devastated her.
Captured on video was her neighbor, Keyvic Abetria, mercilessly striking the unsuspecting Puti with a heavy metal object as she was just quietly walking along the sidewalk. The defenseless cat convulsed in pain before dying from the brutal attack. Without a trace of remorse, the man later placed Puti’s lifeless body into a black trash bag and walked away.
Determined to seek justice, Celine immediately reached out to PAWS for help in filing a case.
Following the filing of the case, Keyvic reportedly tried to convince Celine to drop the charges. When she said she would not, he later tried going into hiding, but authorities were eventually able to track him down and arrest him.
Celine remained steadfast throughout the legal proceedings, and in the end, the court found Keyvic Abetria guilty of animal cruelty. He was sentenced to 1 year, 6 months, and 1 day of imprisonment, and ordered to pay a ₱5,000 fine, with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.
Puti left behind three kittens, who according to Celine have been searching for their mother since she disappeared. We thank Celine for her courage and determination in pursuing justice for Puti.
Rest in peace, Puti. Your life mattered, and justice has finally been served for you.
——
If you witness animal cruelty, please speak up. Animals cannot defend themselves—they rely on compassionate people to be their voice. No animal deserves to suffer, much less die at the hands of violence.
PAWS remains committed to supporting individuals who bravely stand up against cruelty. We provide free legal assistance to those who seek to pursue cases against animal cruelty.
Visit paws.org.ph/prosecution