DSWD chief: P100K for info leading to dog’s mutilator
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian has offered a reward of P100,000 for information leading to the person who had chopped off a dog’s tongue before leaving the animal on the sidewalk.
In a video released on Friday, Gatchalian talked about the case of Kobe, a dog whose tongue was cut off and was left bleeding on the sidewalk along Aratiles Street, Barangay Balangkas, in Valenzuela City.
According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Kobe, of the native breed colloquially called ”Aspin (Asong Pinoy)”, was found in critical condition on Tuesday and was still fighting for his life at a veterinary clinic as of Friday.
The group strongly condemned the incident, stressing that “a dog’s tongue is one of the most difficult parts to cut off, if this was indeed someone’s doing, a mutilation like this could only have been a calculated, sadistic act of cruelty; an extreme and deliberate crime.”
PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera said the group had sought the help of Gatchalian, who earlier served as Valenzuela mayor for nine years, to help find the person responsible.
‘Can’t stomach’ such cruelty
“As a small reward for the information that could help us on this case, I will personally commit P100,000. This is a personal appeal because I couldn’t stomach this kind of cruelty against our pets here in Valenzuela City,” Gatchalian said.
Cabrera said the group had also met with Kobe’s owner, Rodlee Zulueta, who had agreed to let PAWS handle the case.
Informants may contact PAWS through its Facebook page or at 0905-4012235, the group said.
“PAWS and Rodlee will work to find out what happened to Kobe and hold anyone who may be responsible for this accountable,” PAWS said.
