A father's attempt to shield his daughter from an aggressive dog has erupted into a major discussion on animal welfare and community safety in Lapu-Lapu City. The incident, which resulted in the dog's death, has gone viral and highlighted ongoing issues with stray animals in the area.
Viral Video Reveals Disturbing Incident
The controversy began when a video circulated online showing a man repeatedly striking a dog. Chierel Quirante, founder of South Stray Haven, posted the footage on December 11, 2025. The clip, forwarded to her, quickly amassed over 2,200 comments and 3,400 shares, drawing intense public scrutiny.
Quirante confirmed to SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, December 17, that the dog, named "Whitey," succumbed to head trauma. She expressed strong condemnation, stating, "We will not tolerate such behavior, especially in broad daylight." She added that the dog was already scheduled for rescue when the beating occurred.
Father's Explanation and Community Backlash
In a separate interview, Barangay Babag Captain Eulogio Manayon revealed the 43-year-old father surrendered three days after the event. The man explained he acted emotionally after seeing the dog chase his young daughter around 8 a.m. as she was on her way to meet him.
The father, who also spoke to SunStar Cebu, described acting out of fear for his 12-year-old daughter, who had prior trauma from a dog attack. He insisted his actions were driven by paternal instinct, not malice, noting his own family owns two dogs. He expressed deep remorse and asked for forgiveness, revealing the online backlash caused his child to miss an exam.
Efforts to locate him were initiated after Basak Barangay Captain and ABC President Jasmine Marie 'Daday' Chan called for coordination with authorities and reposted the video on her Facebook page.
Broader Issue of Stray Dogs and Public Health
The case underscores a persistent problem in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City. Residents report repeated incidents involving aggressive stray dogs. The father said his family only learned from comments on Chan's post that Whitey had attacked other people before, meaning their ordeal was not an isolated case. No one in the subdivision has claimed ownership of the dog.
Following the incident, Whitey was taken to the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries clinic and later to a private vet. However, the dog could not be confined after testing positive for distemper, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. The father has expressed willingness to cooperate with any further investigations.
This tragic event has forced the community to confront the dual challenges of ensuring public safety from aggressive animals while upholding standards for animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.
