A stray puppy adopted by a family in Barangay Tibungco, Davao City was hacked to death by a drunk man who claimed self-defense.

The dog, “Butchoy,” sustained a wound in the head.

Aimee Boniel, Butchoy's owner, said her nine-year-old daughter heard a loud thud from outside their house and the puppy squealed right after. When the girl went out, she saw the suspect's bolo drenched in blood and the puppy had fallen off the bridge. 

“Natingala na siya nga naa’y milagobo ug misyagit ang itoy. Pag-abli niya sa pultahan, nakita niya ang sundang, nagkadugo, unya ang iro, natagak na sa tulay,” Boniel said.

The family has filed a complaint against the 49-year-old suspect before the barangay. The following day, the man told barangay officials that he hacked the puppy because it bit him and his companion.

“Naagian daw niya then gipaak ang iyang kumagko sa tiil. Pagka ugma na siya mi-declare nga napaakan siya og iro,” Barangay Councilman, Robert Calvo, said.

The suspect’s son stood up for his father whom he said did not intend to kill the puppy. He, however, admitted that his father was drunk at that time.

“Walay intention. Duha man gud na ka intention - ang isa, kanang gipatay gyud nimo. Pero kato, gikan man to sa pagkahubog niya, self-defense lang man to niya ato nga time,” the suspect’s son said.

Killing and maltreating animals are punishable by law under the Animal Welfare Act. Violators may be imprisoned for up to two years and may be fined up to P100,000.

“Ang tao, kung ma-caught in the act nga nagapanakit siya og hayop, pwede siya mapriso og one year to two years ug naa ta’y fine nga 100,000,” Davao City Police Office Spokesperson, Captain Hazel Tuazon, said.

Animal welfare group Bantay Hayop Davao is helping file the charges against the suspect and urged the man to surrender the bolo he used to hack the dog.

“Nag-request na nga i-surrender ang hinagiban nga gigamit sa pagpanakit ug pagpatay kay Butchoy. Mao ni siya ang requirement para makapasaka ta og kaso. Niangkon man pud siya sa iyang gibuhat,” Bantay Hayop Davao President, Rovie Bullina, said.

The owner of the puppy and the suspect are set to meet at the barangay hall for a dialogue.

Authorities urged the public anew to report to authorities incidents of animal cruelty they may know of.