Teenager gets cyber rebukes over clipped puppy

MANILA, Philippines—A teenager from Calamba, Laguna who thought it was cool to peg his pet dog to a clothesline and post photos of it on Facebook earned the ire of animal lovers.

The pictures of the white puppy hanging by five plastic pegs to a clothesline went vial and enraged netizens formed a Facebook group to condemn the “gross violation” of animal rights. As of this posting, the group has attracted 3,328 members.

The issue was even picked up by animal rights groups.

“This is not child’s play, this is blatant animal cruelty,” said Agnes Tam People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The teenager later took down the offensive photos and offered an apology.

“To All Animal Lovers and to (people) all over the world please read this: Gusto ko humingi ng tawad sa nagawa kong kasalanan sa aking alagang aso. Sana mapatawad n’yo ako at pinapangako ko na hindi na mauulit [I would like to ask for forgiveness for the wrong I’ve done against my dog. I hope you could forgive me and I promise it would never happen again].”

A 1998 law bans cruelty to animals, which is punishable by up to two years in jail.

That law is seldom enforced to its full extent.

However a Quezon City court last month ordered a university student who tortured and killed a cat, then bragged about it on his online diary, to perform community service. With AFP