Puppy Dies, Guard Sacked, Case Filings: What We Know So Far About the Dog-Throwing Incident

Trigger warning: animal abuse, death

(SPOT.ph) A guard who allegedly threw a puppy from SM North EDSA's footbridge was sacked and can no longer work at the mall, the mall said in a statement Wednesday after a Facebook post about the incident went viral online.

SM North EDSA, one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines found in Quezon City, said it is a pet-friendly establishment and that it "strongly condemns" animal cruelty or endangerment. The puppy died following the incident. 

"We have called the attention of the security agency to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter. The security guard has been dismissed and is no longer allowed to service any of our malls nationwide," it said less than six hours after the viral post was published.

Also read: This Four-Month-Old Puppy Saved a Child From a House Fire in GenSan

What happened at SM North EDSA

"Patulong po!!!!!!!!!! 'Yung tuta po binato nung guard dito sa SM North!!!!!!!!!", a Facebook user who had pictures of the incident said in all caps in a viral post with more than 81,000 shares in 14 hours.

According to the post, the guard manning the footbridge between SM North EDSA and Ayala Mall Trinoma was reportedly sending two kids and their dog away but they wouldn't budge. He then reportedly threw the puppy from the footbridge.

The guard was reportedly heard saying "wala akong pake" when other mallgoers talked to him over what happened.

"Yung pagkakabagsak nung aso sa sahig, 'yung tunog ho nung pagkakabagsak, malalaman n'yo na agad kung gaano kalakas 'yung pagkakabato sa kanya. 'Yung pressure na binigay n'ya sa pagbabato. Sobra-sobra ho," she said in the comments section.

Jonathan Garcia Manipon, who saw the dog fell in the middle of the road, picked it up and saw that the dog was bleeding.

"Sa gitna po ng daan ko pinulot kasi baka masagasaan po", Manipon told SPOT.ph.

"Dinala ko sa sidewalk para i-compress 'yung chest ng pup. But later after three minutes wala na breathing 'yung dog. Then hand over ko na sa batang owner na sobrang iyak... Nakakadurog sa puso makita 'yung bata na sobrang iyak habang yakap 'yung puppy."

"Maaring makukulit at bastos sumagot 'yung mga batang pinaalis n'ya, pero hindi ho sapat (sic) na batuhin n'yo 'yung tuta dahil lang sa hindi naalis 'yung bata. Bigla-bigla ho kinuha 'yung tuta at binato."

The dog was dead on arrival at the veterinarian's clinic, based on the conversation the Facebook user had with the doctor.

"Dapat kasuhan ng cruelty to animals 'yang animal na 'yan! Dog lover ako!!! Gusto ko siya ihulog!" said Sen. JV Ejercito in the comments section.

Ongoing investigations, possible cases

"We sincerely regret the incident that happened at a mall in Quezon City today involving a group of children and their pet," RJC Corporate Security Services' president and general manager Roger Federezo said in a statement released on Facebook.

"We are thoroughly investigating this incident together with public authorites and other parties involved."

"Quezon City is a safe haven for animals, and we are strict in enforcing Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act. We are currently conducting a full investigation into the matter, and will apply the full weight of the law in the event that any guilt is established," said Quezon City attorney Nino Casimiro in a statement sent to the media.

Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) also condemns the incident, saying it has been in touch with the witnesses so it can file a case. It received almost 200 e-mails from concerned citizens regarding the incident.

"The guard’s behavior and the act of killing the puppy is certainly what the Animal Welfare Act seeks to punish. PAWS is committed to file a case and hold accountable the person responsible for this horrific cruelty," it said in a statement.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, it is illegal to kill animals inhumanely. If an animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect dies, the offending party may be punished with imprisonment of up to two years, and/or a fine of up to P100,000.

Also read:
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