A dog was beaten to death with a wooden stick in Barangay Cabitan, Mandaon, Masbate, as captured in a disturbing video that surfaced in an animal lovers group on social media.
The footage sparked outrage among animal advocates and led to an investigation that identified and charged the suspect, a 21-year-old man.
The video shows the man striking the dog’s head repeatedly until the animal went unconscious and collapsed to its side. Even after the dog had fallen, the man continued to hit its head.
Through all this, the dog was tied to what appeared on video like a bench.
The incident happened in 2024 but was posted online only recently.
TRACING THE SUSPECT
Greg Salido Quimpo, Regional Director of the Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP), said he first saw the video on March 19, 2025.
He initially believed the video was from Davao, but after identifying the suspect’s football uniform as one from Masbate, they redirected their search.
On March 21, officers of the Mandaon Municipal Police Station and Barangay Captain Junil Azucena visited the suspect’s home. However, the suspect panicked and went into hiding.
"Tumakbo 'yung bata kasi natakot na siya, parang nawala sa sarili," Azucena told GMA Regional TV News.
With the help of the suspect's mother and grandmother, they convinced him to face the authorities.
On March 24, Quimpo traveled to Masbate and tracked him down successfully.
SUSPECT ADMITS
Quimpo said the suspect admitted to the crime, confirming that the dog was indeed killed and, later, consumed as 'pulutan.'
"Can you imagine, pinost pa doon mismo sa online forum ng mga animal lovers? Hindi naman ang intensyon [ay] mag-report... nakalagay pa doon sa caption 'pang pulutan,'" Quimpo told GMA Regional TV News.
Charges have been filed against the man.
"Pag namatay 'yung aso, meron ka na isa o hanggang dalawang taon na pagkakakulong, o magbibigay ng penalty na P100,000," Quimpo said.
Quimpo urged the public to be more responsible with their actions, especially when creating content for social media.
"Alam naman nating lahat na bawal talagang mag-malupit sa hayop, lalong-lalo na klaro doon sa batas na 'wag mong patayin o pagmalupitan 'yung aso atsaka pusa," he said.
THE REASON BEHIND
Barangay Captain Azucena described the suspect as someone who lacked proper education and was unaware of the law.
"Nasa 21 [years old] na, Sir, pero 'di kasi nakapag-aral 'yung bata na ito... hindi marunong magtagalog [at] hindi marunong magbasa, konti-konti lang," he said, adding that the man only finished elementary school.
Based on their investigation, the dog was killed because it had been aggressive, attacking passersby and preying on chickens and their eggs.
"Pinatay yung aso, Sir, dahil kapag may dumadaan, nanghahabol at nangangagat, base sa aming imbestigasyon dito... at ganoon rin sabi ng bata... at 'yung mga alagang manok kinakain pati 'yung mga itlog."
The suspect claimed he did not know who recorded or uploaded the video.
The barangay captain added that the suspect has expressed remorse.
"Humihingi din siya ng kapatawaran sa ginawa niya kasi hindi niya nga alam 'yung batas sa pagpatay ng aso... nangangako rin siya, Sir, na hindi na nga niya talaga uulitin," he said.
Authorities are now waiting for a possible arrest warrant to be issued against the suspect.
Quimpo emphasized that this case should serve as a lesson, especially for young people, on the importance of obeying the law and being responsible with social media content.
"'Wag sila maging foolish, kahit malayo nagtutulungan kami na mga animal advocates [na] hahanapin namin sila, kasi hindi [ito] pwedeng pabayaan," Quimpo said.
Meanwhile, in Zambales, a meat vendor was arrested after she stabbed a dog to death in Subic after the dog reportedly stole meat from her stall, according to a report in "State of the Nation" on March 26.
