Mall Guard Sentenced to Jail for Throwing Puppy From Footbridge

Warning: This article has mentions of animal cruelty.

(SPOT.ph) Remember that disturbing video of a puppy being thrown off the pedestrian footbridge between SM North EDSA and Ayala Malls TriNoma in 2023? A court has now handed down a guilty verdict—and a jail sentence—for the mall security guard behind it.

A Quezon City court found the security guard guilty of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act for killing the puppy named Browny, which was caught in a video and uploaded on social media. The guard was sentenced to one year, six months, and one day or up to two years in prison, fined P100,000, and ordered to pay P20,000 in moral damages to the dog’s owner. The court also ruled that failure to pay the fine could result in additional jail time.

“May this ruling honor the life that was lost and serve as a warning that animals are not disposable, and cruelty has consequences. We will continue to speak, fight, and demand justice for those who cannot,” Animal Kingdom Foundation said in a statement.

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

Based on court records, the incident began when children were playing with the puppy on the footbridge. The guard reportedly told them to leave the area. When they did not, he took the puppy from the children and threw it over the bridge. Browny was pronounced dead on arrival at the veterinary clinic.

The security guard was reportedly heard saying "wala akong pake" when other mallgoers approached him about what happened. A criminal case was then filed by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), as well as Animal Kingdom Foundation, both of which lodged a complaint against the guard for the public nature of the act.

During the early stages of the case, the guard claimed the puppy was brought near his face. Fearing he would be bitten, he said he swatted the child's hand away, causing the puppy to fall from a height. However, the court did not accept this as a valid defense, calling his act “straightforward, categorical, and spontaneous.”

“Such must be accorded great weight as they reflect sincerity and naturalness given that they are minor children,” the court said.

In a statement at the time, SM North EDSA said the guard was no longer connected with the mall, stressing that violence against animals is not tolerated.

"The Security Guard has been dismissed and is no longer allowed to service any of our malls nationwide. As a pet-friendly establishment, we strongly condemn any acts that endanger or harm the lives of animals."

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