Labrador dog beaten to death in Mandaue City; owner seeks justice

A Labrador dog named Cooper was beaten to death at a public market in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City, after allegedly sniffing at an empty box and being mistaken for a “mad dog,” according to the animal’s owner.

The incident occurred in front of a dried fish stall at the Canduman market. Cooper’s owner, who identifies herself as Sergeant Batang Alaska on Facebook, said the dog had broken free from his chain and wandered into nearby areas before the incident.

In a social media post, the owner said she learned of the incident after seeing her dog lying lifeless on the road. She described Cooper as friendly and said there was no basis for claims that the dog was rabid.

“No one rescued him, and no one took him to a veterinarian. My heart is broken that no one stood up for Cooper in his final moments. It was a market, but no one defended my baby,” she wrote.

The owner said she has filed a formal complaint with authorities, including the police and the barangay, to document the incident and seek accountability for Cooper’s death.

She added that the suspected perpetrator has been identified, but pursuing the case has been difficult due to the lack of evidence.

According to the owner, several bystanders who allegedly witnessed the incident have refused to testify, while vendors in the area were reluctant to provide statements.

“Yes, we had our lapses, but that doesn’t justify killing Cooper based on a false accusation that he was a ‘mad dog,’” she said in another post.

She also acknowledged the legal process, adding, “However, if he isn’t guilty of killing my dog, then he has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

The incident has since gone viral on social media, drawing reactions from animal welfare advocates and pet owners who expressed outrage and called for stricter enforcement of animal protection laws.

One netizen wrote, “Kaya dumadami ang mga kriminal kasi hindi sila nasasampulan ng batas para sa mga hayop. Higpitan ang batas at ipatupad para matakot sila.”

(“That is why criminals have increased because they are not made examples of under the law for animals. Tighten the laws and enforce them so they will be afraid.”)

As of this writing, a barangay mediation session has been scheduled involving the parties connected to the incident. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on possible charges or penalties related to the case.