A dog in Bacolod City returned home with an Indian dart embedded in its body.

The incident happened in Barangay 8 where the dog's owner found the animal weak. The owner, Cha-cha, said she was shocked by what happened and believes someone hurt her pet deliberately.

“Hindi ko alam kung saan galing. May nakapagsabi lang na may nakakabit na sa kanya. Siyempre, naaawa naman ako. Parang tao rin sila. Mabait naman siya,” she said.

Cha-cha and her neighbors worked together to remove the dart from the dog. The dog has since been recovering.

Cha-cha suspects young people in the area may have been the ones responsible.

“Sabi ng barangay, posible na ganito nga. Sana hindi nila ginawa iyon sa aso,” she said.

A barangay worker appealed for people to treat animals with kindness.

“Sana tratuhin naman nila nang mabuti ang aso. Sila nga ang tumatahol kung may emerhensya. Pinagtripan lang siguro,” she said.

Animal welfare groups said they are willing to help identify those responsible.

Animal welfare advocate Lowella Marie Sanicas reminded the public that animal cruelty is punishable under the Animal Welfare Act.

“Under sa ating Republic Act 8485, bawal magsakit or mag-maltreat ng hayop, especially ang ating dogs and cats. Tayong mga tao, mas nakakaalam tayo compared sa hayop. Sana maging lesson ang nangyaring ito,” she said.

Authorities have yet to identify the person or persons behind the incident. Animal welfare advocates urged the public to report cases of animal abuse to help hold offenders accountable.