Police and an animal welfare group have launched an investigation into a video of a dog tied to a moving “bao-bao” tricycle in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

In the video, the dog is seen tied to the tricycle running along the national highway on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The video has gained negative reactions from netizens.

Personnel of the Villanueva Municipal Police Station and the Cagayan de Oro City Animal Welfare Society Inc. investigated the incident immediately and identified the owner of the dog, who was later summoned to the police station.

The dog owner, who was also the driver of the tricycle, explained that the incident was unintentional.

He said he failed to notice that the dog was still tied to the vehicle after instructing his child to untie it before leaving.

He added that they immediately stopped after realizing what had happened.

Police said the family usually ties the dog to the vehicle at night as protection against thieves. The family has reportedly experienced thieves entering their property in the past.

“Kato ilang iro always gyud nila ginahikot sa bao-bao especially pag-gabie kay tungod proteksyon sa kawatan kay na-try na kuno nila nakuhaan og pisa ang ilang bao-bao,” Villanueva Municipal Police Station Chief, Capt. Princess Bergado, said.

The animal welfare group took the dog to a veterinary clinic for examination.

The veterinarian found the dog to be in good health, except for minor wounds on its paws that required treatment.

“Ang iro among gidala sa clinic so gipa-check, so naa mi mga medical record. So wala ra pud siya (nagrabehan) naa lang gamay nga gasgas sa iyang tiil,” CDO Animal Welfare Society Inc. Head, Isreal Mata, said.

The dog was then returned to its owners, who vowed that the incident would not happen again.

No charges were filed against the dog owner.

“Atoa gyud tagaan og importansya ug bili ang atoang mga hayop, atong mga pet kay dako man pud ni sila og ikatabang,” Bergado said.

“Be a responsible pet owner dili gyud nato pasagdan ang atong iro, atoang mga pet kay lahi na gyud na karon nga panahon protected gyud na sila sa law,” Mata added.