Ebola-infected pigs should be treated humanely before they are culled, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific, said in a letter it sent today to Department of Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap.

Citing reports that the culling of pigs will not be completed until Wednesday, March 4, PETA noted with concern reports that the remaining pigs are not being fed.

In the letter, PETA said that failure to feed the animals is a violation of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (Republic Act 8485). PETA urged the DA to provide feed for the pigs.
PETA requests the following to be done by the DA:

• Food be provided to the animals waiting to be slaughtered on a daily basis from hereon.
• Any animal injured or clearly in pain or suffering should be euthanized immediately.
• Animals should be killed by the most humane method possible. A functioning captive bolt pistol should be used by properly trained staff to render all animal unconscious prior to slaughter.
• The appropriate officials directing the situation be charged with animal cruelty for failure to provide adequate care and sustenance to the animals, violating The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (Republic Act 8485).”