Vendor to Face Animal Cruelty Charges After Fatal Attack on Labrador in Mandaue City
A formal complaint for animal cruelty is set to be filed against a vendor involved in the killing of a Labrador Retriever in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City, according to Barangay Captain Dante Borbajo. The case highlights the enforcement of animal welfare laws in the Philippines, following a failed mediation attempt between the parties.
Failed Mediation and Firm Decision to Proceed with Legal Action
Barangay Captain Dante Borbajo reported that the complainant and the respondent met for mediation on Friday, January 23, 2026, around 2 p.m. Despite the offender's apology and emotional display during the meeting, the complainant remained determined to file the case. "The complainant was already determined to file a case. Even though the offender apologized and cried, there was nothing we could do because the complainant was firm," Borbajo stated. He explained that while the complainant expressed forgiveness, they insisted that the legal proceedings must continue to ensure accountability under the law.
Details of the Incident and Legal Basis for the Complaint
The complaint will be filed on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Police Station 6, with the minutes of the mediation attached as part of the case documentation. According to Borbajo, the case falls under Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act, which allows complainants to directly file cases with the police. The incident began when the vendor claimed the dog bit a carton he was carrying, leading him to strike the Labrador Retriever with a piece of wood. "I questioned him because he hit the dog first. Naturally, the dog would react," Borbajo said, noting that the vendor admitted to hitting the dog three times, resulting in its immediate death.
Post-Mortem Examination and Background of the Suspect
Following the incident, members of the barangay's Emergency Response Team initially buried the dog, but it was later exhumed for a post-mortem examination to gather evidence. Borbajo mentioned that there was reportedly a foreign national who witnessed the event, although this has yet to be confirmed as the vendor had already left the area. The suspect, who is not originally from Mandaue City but rents in the area and runs a small street business from Consolacion, has no prior criminal or drug-related record.
Owner's Statement and Consequences of the Case
Borbajo relayed the dog owner's statement, explaining that the Labrador Retriever had accidentally gotten out and was searched for throughout the day. "The dog was not aggressive. It was a Labrador Retriever. The vendor hit it first, and the dog was probably hungry and had not eaten," he said. During mediation, a minor argument occurred, but the complainant stood firm in pursuing the case. Borbajo emphasized the potential consequences, stating, "He will be imprisoned because there is a violation. There is nothing we can do once the case is filed," underscoring the seriousness of animal cruelty offenses under Philippine law.
