The family of Killua, a 3-year-old golden labrador retriever, is now seeking justice after the dog was found lifeless in a bloodied sack on March 17 in Bato, Camarines Sur.
Vina Rachelle Arazas, Killua’s owner, said that the suspect, identified as Anthony Solares, a resident of a nearby barangay, led them to a secluded area a few kilometers away from their residence, where they discovered the dog’s blood-drenched body.
“I was screaming; I was crying, kasi sobra pong heartbreaking na makita na gano’n. Dalawang sako po’yon, eh. Meron pa po ‘yong sa ulo. Tinaliaan din po, and he was bleeding,” said Arazas.
Arazas recalled that they noticed Killua’s missing in the early morning of March 17. Upon checking the CCTV footage, they saw the dog jump over the rooftop beside their gate after spotting a female dog.
It is after a few hours that Arazas and her family saw Killua again, lifeless, as Solares dislodges its body off a sack.
Arazas shared how painful said situation was for her, particularly as her upcoming birthday is now marred by the passing of Killua, making it challenging to find the strength to celebrate it.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Bato Municipal Police Station (MPS) Chief of Police PMaj Ronald P. Brugada, he stated that initial investigations are underway and assures the public that their commitment to uncover the circumstances behind Killua’s tragic death is steadfast.
Furthermore, in their own pursuit of justice, Killua’s family sought for legal assistance from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and is currently coordinating with them.
On the other hand, Solares denied the accusations of slaughtering the golden labrador retriever for personal motives. However, he confessed to brutally killing the dog, stating he did so ‘out of necessity.’
He asserted that he was only carrying out his duties as a barangay tanod, rescuing an elderly woman from the purportedly enraged, astray dog.
“May lumapit sa’kin na matanda, humihingi ng tulong. ‘Yong [isang] matanda raw ay kinakagat ng aso kaya tinawag ako. Ako naman po bilang barangay tanod, pinuntahan ko tapos binuhat ko ‘yong matanda tas tiningnan ko po kung may damage, and meron po and pinasakay ko na sa padyak,” Solares stated.
Cleofe Posugac, the elderly woman allegedly bitten by the golden labrador retriever, recounted her encounter with Killua, noting the dog’s aggression towards her.
“Pagkatapos bumalik, ‘yong aso, binalikan ako tas syempre hinabol ko na. Pumunta siya sa aming tindahan, ‘yong asawa ko naman ang inaano, doon na po ako na pwede ko na siyang saktan,” Solares added as he showed a bitemark in his leg allegedly inflicted by Killua.
Moreover, Solares mentioned that after taking the dog’s life, he carefully placed it’s carcass in a sack and waited for 30 minutes, holding out in any case that anyone from Killua’s family pass by. He also expressed his intention to properly bury the dog’s corpse should no one arrive to do so.
The distressing sight of Killua’s bloodied lifeless body inside a sack left netizens in an outrage, sparking speculations that the suspect may have had an initial motive to slaughter the dog.
As of writing, Killua’s family cries for justice, paying no attention to the suspect’s plea for forgiveness.
Arazas stated that they are determined to fight against animal cruelty and hope their efforts will raise awareness among non-pet owners, urging witnesses of pet violence to speak up. | Melojane Guiriña, Kian Kirby F. Florano