#JusticeForCooper: Owner Takes Action After Labrador Was Allegedly Beaten to Death

Trigger warning: This story mentions animal cruelty.

(SPOT.ph) A Labrador retriever named Cooper was allegedly beaten to death in a public market in Mandaue City, Cebu—an incident that has since sparked calls for justice on social media.

According to posts shared by Cooper’s owner, Michelle Rodrigo or Sergent Batang Alaska on Facebook, the dog was last seen chained at around 11 p.m. When the family woke up the next morning on January 15, he was gone, with only a broken chain left behind. They initially thought he had simply wandered nearby, something he was known to do.

He didn’t.

Later that day, the family was allegedly told that Cooper had been killed. By the time they learned what happened, barangay personnel had already buried him by the riverside. Rodrigo said they were never given the chance to see him one last time.

Based on accounts relayed to the family, Cooper was passing through a market on January 15 when he stopped at a dried fish stall and began sniffing—and biting—an empty cardboard box. Because Cooper was said to be drooling after roaming around, the vendor shouted that the dog was rabid. The man claimed self-defense, allegedly saying he killed the dog before the dog could harm him.

Rodrigo claimed the man repeatedly struck Cooper with a piece of coconut wood. While he initially claimed he only hit the dog a few times, she said the man admitted—during a confrontation—that he struck Cooper many times, allegedly saying he could no longer count how many blows he delivered. The incident happened in a crowded market.

Some bystanders pointed out that Cooper had a leash and appeared to be owned, but the assault allegedly continued until the dog collapsed. Nearby CCTV cameras did not record the exact incident of abuse.

The morning of his death, people reportedly saw Cooper calmly crossing a pedestrian lane, being petted, and even offered food. According to Rodrigo, he had never shown aggression.

“Yes, we had our lapses, but that doesn't justify killing Cooper based on a false accusation that he was a 'mad dog.' However, if he isn't guilty of killing my dog, then he has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Rodrigo wrote on Facebook.

Also read: #JusticeForKillua: Man Confesses to Killing Golden Retriever

As of writing, barangay mediation over Cooper’s case is still ongoing. According to Rodrigo, the session proceeded with councilors, with statements—including an alleged admission—officially recorded. If no settlement is reached by Friday, January 23, the case will be elevated to the police.

Since the story began circulating on Facebook, online users have flooded comment sections with messages condemning the alleged killing. Posts about Cooper have been widely shared, calling for accountability behind the hashtag #JusticeForCooper. SPOT.ph reached out to Rodrigo to ask for more details about the case but has yet to receive a response.

Cooper had been with the family since 2021. In a later post, Rodrigo shared that he has a nine-day-old puppy, Coopie, whom they have since adopted after two of her littermates died. The puppy is currently being treated by a veterinarian for an infected wound.

Anyone convicted of torturing any animal, neglecting to provide its basic needs, or subjecting it to any form of cruelty may be charged under the amended Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act No. 10631, which prescribes a minimum imprisonment of one year and one day to a maximum of two years and/or a fine ranging from P30,000 to P100,000.

If the act of cruelty results in the death of the animal, the penalties are more severe, with imprisonment ranging from one year and six months to three years and a fine between P50,000 to P250,000. In addition, the convicted may also face a permanent ban from owning any other animals in the future. 

Also read: Pastor Found Guilty of Animal Cruelty After Dragging Dog With His Motorcycle