ILOILO – Police have launched an investigation into the killing of a seven-year-old Shih Tzu named “Toto” in Barangay Cari Mayor, Leganes, Iloilo even as animal welfare groups pressed for criminal charges against a man accused of bludgeoning the dog to death on New Year’s Day.
The dog’s owner, Cerilo Paniza Lumberto, said his dog was struck on the head with a shovel by Ronald Tagudiña at around 9 a.m. on January 1, an incident that has drawn condemnation from animal advocates and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws.
Lumberto told DYRI RMN Iloilo that the incident happened while he was feeding his chickens outside their house. “Toto” and another dog followed him into the yard, but the Shih Tzu —who Lumberto said suffers from cataracts — wandered off toward the neighboring property.
“I heard a loud noise and immediately felt that something terrible had happened,” Lumberto said.
When he reached the area near Tagudiña’s house, Lumberto said he found his pet dog gravely injured, with Tagudiña holding a shovel.
The dog later died from the injuries.
Tagudiña insisted he acted in self-defense, alleging that the dog had entered their compound, attacked his chickens, and was about to harm him and his wife.
He also said he suspected the dog might have been rabid.
Tagudiña further said he was asleep when his wife woke him to report that a dog was attacking their chickens. He said he initially tried to drive the animal away, but when it allegedly returned and charged at him, he grabbed a shovel and struck it.
Lumberto dismissed the claim, saying there were no dead chickens at the scene and disputing the claim that his pet dog could have killed chickens, especially those raised for cock derbies.
“The accusation that Toto killed a chicken is completely false. My dog is small and incapable of such an attack, especially on a fighting chicken,” Lumberto said.
Police noted in their initial report that they did not find bite marks on the chickens, only scratches, while Toto’s body bore severe head injuries. Lumberto also alleged that a dead chicken later presented by Tagudiña was killed only after the incident to justify the act. Tagudiña, however, denied this.
The case has triggered outrage from animal welfare advocates, including Furry Friends Second Chance, which called the killing a clear case of cruelty, and Team Aspin of Iloilo, which said the incident violated Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act.
“This is not just about one dog; it’s about preventing future acts of violence against animals,” a spokesperson for Team Aspin of Iloilo said.
Both groups said they are assisting the Lumberto family in pursuing legal action against Tagudiña and urged authorities to ensure accountability, stressing that Toto was a family pet that deserved protection./PN
