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The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has strongly criticized the Diocese of Kalookan following an Easter Salubong presentation involving a dove, saying the Church’s apology “misses the point.”

In its official statement, the Diocese apologized for the incident and announced it would stop the balloon-release tradition next year, where a dove is tied to multiple balloons and lifted into the air. Instead, it said the dove would be released immediately after the unveiling of the image of Mary.

But PAWS said the explanation fails to address the real issue.

According to the group, the dove’s wings were fastened to a tube using cable ties during the presentation, causing extreme suffering. The organization stressed that using animals as props—especially in ways that inflict pain—is not only unethical but a violation of the law.

PAWS pointed to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by Republic Act No. 10631, which penalizes acts of cruelty and abuse against animals.

“If we cannot be guided by the basic precept that animals are capable of suffering, and therefore we have a moral duty to prevent suffering whenever we can, we can perhaps be convinced that there is the law that can make violators accountable,” said PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera.

“The next time this happens, we will file a case,” Cabrera said.

PAWS is now calling on Church leaders to stop using live animals in religious presentations and urged the public to remain vigilant. The group also encouraged witnesses to submit affidavits if similar incidents occur in future Easter celebrations.

For PAWS, the issue goes beyond a single tradition—it’s about accountability and ensuring that no animal is made to suffer in the name of public display.