Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765413631646Screenshot 2025-12-11 at 8.36.02 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">PAWS seeks justice for the killing of a dog in Mountain Province. <em>Philippine Animal Welfare Society/Facebook</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has called for witnesses to the &quot;brutal&quot; killing of Axle, an American Bully dog beaten to death in Sadanga, Mountain Province, on December 4.</div><p>The animal welfare group said on Wednesday that it would pursue criminal charges against the perpetrator, identified as a local government official&#x27;s staff driver, following claims on social media that the dog’s owner received a settlement.</p><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFp4QZItYpY">Babaeng inunang iligtas ang pet dogs sa sunog sa Mandaue viral sa social media<br/></a></div><p>For the past week, the group had been searching for individuals who personally witnessed or have direct knowledge regarding the incident, as testimonies are needed to pursue a criminal case.</p><p>“It does not have to be the owner. It does not matter if a settlement occurred. And it does not diminish the fact that a crime, against a sentient being who suffered and died, was committed,” PAWS wrote in a Facebook post.</p><p>The group also urged the owner or the original uploader of the CCTV footage circulating online depicting the animal cruelty to come forward to confirm its authenticity.</p><p>“CCTV footage on its own will not stand or be admissible in court unless its source is determined and its authenticity is established, including confirmation that it has not been altered,” PAWS noted.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/11/aso-pinutuluan-ng-dila-may-ari-nanawagan-ng-makakapagtuturo-sa-salarin-0730">Aso pinutulan ng dila; may-ari nanawagan ng makakapagtuturo sa salarin</a></div><p>The group assured the public that it would stand with the witnesses and give them free legal assistance. </p><p>In another Facebook post, PAWS provided a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1101931561968039&amp;set=pcb.1101932555301273">guide</a> on how to report animal cruelty for potential witnesses of such acts. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;NORMAL CANINE BEHAVIOR&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Distressing footage showed a man repeatedly striking a large wooden stick at the calm Axle, who then attempted to run away from him without retaliation. </p><p>The video also showed that several bystanders did not intervene despite the dog&#x27;s loud whimpering.</p><p>The killing allegedly stemmed from the man&#x27;s anger after Axle urinated on him.</p><p>“He didn’t bite, threaten, or harm anyone. He simply showed a normal canine behavior that was met with anger and superstition instead of understanding,” Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) wrote in a December 9 Facebook post, condemning the senseless killing.</p><p>Killing animals is punishable under Republic Act No. 10631, also known as the amended Animal Welfare Act of 1998, and can result in imprisonment for one to two years. </p><p>The Sadanga local government said on December 9 that it was filing a case against the driver, clarifying that the perpetrator was not a municipal councilor, as many had assumed.</p><div><strong>OTHER NEWS: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OFp4QZItYpY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine Animal Welfare Society has called for witnesses to the "brutal" killing of Axle, an American Bully dog beaten to death in Sadanga, Mountain Province, on December 4.</p>

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society has called for witnesses to the "brutal" killing of Axle, an American Bully dog beaten to death in Sadanga, Mountain Province, on December 4.

PAWS seeks justice for 'brutal' killing of dog in Mountain Province, calls for witnesses

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PAWS seeks justice for 'brutal' killing of dog in Mountain Province, calls for witnesses

Mary Rose Maligmat and Alessandra Reodique,

ABS-CBN News Digital Interns

Published Dec 11, 2025 08:55 AM PHT

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Updated Dec 11, 2025 11:02 AM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Animal Welfare Society

PAWS

Animal Cruelty

Sadanga

Mountain Province

Axle

American Bully Dog

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