At least 20 dogs were rescued by an animal welfare group at an island in Pagadian City reportedly used as dumping area for abandoned dogs.

In a report by GMA’s 24 Oras, the dogs were skin and bones and starving when the team of the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) arrived in Dao Dao Island.

“Heartbreaking because ang papayat ng mga aso and they approached our team immediately. Feeling ko talaga sa sobrang gutom nila wala silang time or ayaw na lang nilang maging agresibo,” AKF Executive Director, Atty. Heidi Caguioa, said.

AKF said the dogs in the area were dumped by residents who could no longer care of them.

A barangay official said the area has been used as a dumping site for dogs when the island had no longer guards watching over the area.

“Itong isla, sir, wala ng tao tapos may mga aso dito sa aming barangay at sa ibang barangay kumakain ng mga sisiw at mga itlog dito na sila ibutang sa island,” Barangay Poloyagan Chairman, Jimmy Osing, said.

However, the city government said the barangay has not reported the matter.

“It’s a resort na pinupuntahan naman ng mga taumbayan at doon naliligo kaya normal may nakikita kaming aso. Na-shock lang kami it was tagged as dumping area,” Pagadian City Administrator, Engr. Vince Quipot, said.

The dogs rescued have been checked by a veterinarian and AKF’s partner group in the area is taking care of them.

“Napa-check-up na rin po natin sila sa beterinaryo at although medyo dehydrated no at saka anemic ang mga aso negative naman sila sa distemper or any other serious illness. Sila po ay pino foster ngayon ng isa pong partner nating animal welfare group doon sa area,” Caguioa added.

The group and the local government will also conduct educational campaign in the barangays near the island to educate residents about responsible pet ownership.

Posters that warn the public against dog abandonment as stipulated in the Animal Welfare Act have been put up in several areas.