Abandoned, hungry dogs rescued from uninhabited island in Pagadian

No less than 20 dogs have been rescued from a Pagadian City island where residents reportedly left their former pets.

According to Nico Waje's report on "24 Oras," the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) conducted an operation on Dao Dao Island to bring food and rescue the abandoned dogs.

“[It is] heartbreaking because ang papayat ng mga aso and they approached our team immediately," AKF Executive Director Attorney Heidi Caguioa said.

"Feeling ko talaga sa sobrang gutom nila wala silang time o ayaw nilang maging agresibo,” she added.

(It is heartbreaking because the dogs were emaciated, and they approached our team immediately. I felt that they were starving and had no interest or they didn’t want to be aggressive)

The barangay chairperson said residents started to dump their dogs on the island because there were no caretakers.

“Itong isla, sir, wala nang tao. Tapos yung mga aso dito sa aming barangay at saka ibang barangay, kumakain ng mga sisiw, mga itlog, dito nila itapon sa island,” said Barangay Poloyagan chaiperso Jimmy Osing.

(This island has no inhabitants. The dogs here in our barangay and other barangays who eat chicks and eggs are dumped on this island)

The local government of Pagadian said it received no report of the incidents from the barangay.

“It’s a resort na pinupuntahan naman ng mga taumbayan at doon naliligo, kaya normal may nakikita kaming aso. Na-shock lang kami it was tagged as dumping area,” Pagadian City Administrator Engineer Vince Quipot said.

(It’s a resort that residents frequent and visit, so it was normal that we see dogs. We were just shocked that it was tagged as a dumping area)

At least 20 dogs were saved and are currently being rehabilitated by the AKF and other animal welfare groups.

“Napa-check up na po natin sila sa beterinaryo. Although medyo dehydrated at anemic ang mga aso, negative naman sila sa distemper at any other serious illness. Sila po ay pino-foster ng ating partner na animal welfare group sa area,” added Caguioa.

(We’ve had them checked by a veterinarian. Although they are dehydrated and anemic, the dogs are negative for distemper and any other serious illness. They are currently being fostered by our partner animal welfare group in the area)

The AKF and the local government unit will be conducting an educational campaign on proper dog care in the affected barangays.

They have also begun posting warnings against dumping dogs, which are punishable under the Animal Welfare Act. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News