Horrific Knife Attack
Yesterday we gave emergency treatment to a dog, who was maliciously subjected to a knife attack. This is a horrific story with some graphic images. However, we wanted to share it to highlight the issues we are still dealing with in the Philippines. A man slashed the dog several times across the face, down his legs and across his back. He used a jungle bolo knife. You can see from the photo below, it is a large knife often used to cut bamboo.
Our intervention
By chance, Doc Roland saw a post on Facebook of the dog’s owner asking for help after the attack. Roland advised them to meet him at our Treatment Centre where he was able to assess the dog’s injuries. The dog (whose name is Brownie), suffered a fractured skull, the knife narrowly missed his eye. We hope that no damage has been done to any internal organs but Doc Roland suspects some nerves have been damaged due to the lacerations across Brownie’s back. This means Brownie may not be able to wag his tail any more.
Looking at the location of the wounds, Doc Roland says Brownie was trying to defend himself, lifting his paw up to cover his face, resulting in the slashed leg. He suspects he was also trying to run away when the knife caught his back. Poor Brownie couldn’t get away.
Education is key
It is believed the dog killed a fighting cockerel owned by the attacker and that’s what provoked him to turn on Brownie. Unfortunately, cock fighting is still legal in the Philippines.
Whilst we understand that in areas of poverty, losing a source of income (regardless of whether we agree with it), such as a prize fighting cockerel is frustrating, it is still unimaginable cruelty for the dog on the receiving end of that anger.
The man could have been charged under the Animal Welfare Act for attacking Brownie. However, Brownie’s owner could also have been charged for his dog killing the cockerel. The dispute has now been settled without charge and Brownie is recovering at home. We will see him again soon, to check his wounds are healing well.
As much as the dog owner has responsibility over if, where and when a dog should roam, poultry owners also have a responsibility to ensure they are kept safe and enclosed.
Events like this remind us how much work we have to do in the Philippines to teach people about animal cruelty. No matter how angry you are with an animal, this is never the way to deal with a situation.
Through our Education Programme at our Treatment Centre, during mobile clinics, in schools and community centres, we will teach correct animal husbandry. Not only do we spread the message in person, we also have a strong presence on our IWCT Philippines Facebook page and other social media platforms. When we are in our new Treatment Centre, we will have greater provision to expand on this online and face to face Programme.
How you can help
You can help us prevent further incidents such as this. You can make a donation to support our Education Programme. This goes towards staffing costs, website management and leaflet design and printing.
The more people we reach, the less animal cruelty we will see. Thank you.
