A man featured in a viral video showing a cat being dragged behind a tricycle has admitted his intention to abandon the animal.
The incident, which occurred in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, sparked widespread condemnation from the public and animal welfare organizations.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows the cat tied to the tricycle as it tried to keep up with the speeding vehicle to avoid being dragged. The footage prompted outrage, with viewers denouncing the act as cruel and inhumane.
“Ken,” the person who uploaded the video, recounted shouting at the tricycle driver upon witnessing the harrowing scene. The incident took place on a Saturday. When confronted, the driver admitted he intended to abandon the cat.
Brian Dave Austria, a village officer from Gomez, reported that authorities were able to identify the 71-year-old tricycle driver and rescue the injured cat. The animal has since received medical treatment.
The driver defended his actions, claiming his poor hearing prevented him from realizing the cat was being dragged. He explained that the cat had been from his area and was abandoned after allegedly injuring someone.
Animal welfare organizations condemned the act.
Heidi Caguioa, project director of the Animal Kingdom Foundation, labeled the incident as “cruel.” “It’s apparent the cat was being tortured, and it’s absolutely unacceptable. Watching the video is heartbreaking,” she said in a television interview.
Anna Cabrera, executive director of PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society), urged the public to report incidents of animal cruelty to authorities rather than merely posting about them on social media.
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