DSWD Sec. Gatchalian offers P100K for info on abuser who cut dog's tongue

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and former Valenzuela City mayor Rex Gatchalian is offering P100,000 for any information for those behind the mutilation of a dog named "Kobe."

Accordig to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Kobe's tongue was cut off by someone for no known reason. 

"Nanghingi ng tulong yung may-ari kasi lumabas yung kanilang alaga dahil natakot sa paputok nung December 9 'tas hindi na bumalik. Nung hinanap nila ang kanilang aso, nakita nila sa Barangay Aratilis, lupapaypay, losing a lot of blood, tapos andun pa yung severe na tongue, yun pong pinutol," said PAWS in a video posted online. 

(The owner asked for help because their pet went outside because it was scared of the fireworks on December 9 and never came back. When they looked for their dog, they found it in Barangay Aratilis, limp, losing a lot of blood, and then there was the severed tongue, which had been cut off.)

PAWS has reached out to Gatchalian for help, as he was a mayor of Valenzuela City for 9 years.

The DSWD secretary responded by offering P 100,000 for any information on Kobe's assailants.

"Bilang maliit na reward sa impormasyon na makakatulong para sa kaso na to, personally cocommit ko ang P100,000. This is a personal appeal dahil ako, hindi ko kayang sikmurain na may ganitong ginagawang mga aktibidad na karumal-dumal laban sa ating mga alaga sa Valenzuela city," said Gatchalian. 

(As a small reward for information that will help in this case, I personally co-commit P100,000. This is a personal appeal because I cannot stomach the fact that such despicable activities are being carried out against our loved ones in Valenzuela City.)

"Ang pananakit sa ating mga alaga, mga aso, pusa, ilegal yan. Nung nakita ko yung picture, karumaldumal," he added. 

(Torturing our pets, dogs, and cats—that's illegal. When I saw the picture, it was disgusting.)

PAWS, meanwhile, said that Kobe is currently in a veterinary clinic and is in critical condition. 

"Si Kobe ay nasa veterenary clinic. Medyo nasa kritikal na kundisyon, pero lumalabas pa naman," PAWS said.

(Kobe is at the veterinary clinic. He's in a bit of a critical condition, but he's still coming out.)

Dr. Maricel Taca, a veterinarian, said the dog's tongue cannot be reattached. But the dog is in the recovery stage.

It was also observed that the dog can drink water, but without a tongue, it has to use its snout. —VAL, GMA Integrated News