Labrador Retriever allegedly bludgeon to death by vendor; legal battle looms
- A Labrador Retriever named Cooper was allegedly beaten to death with a wooden club after wandering into a dried fish stall in Mandaue City
- The vendor allegedly attacked the dog for sniffing his merchandise, fueled by false claims that the pet was rabid or "mad"
- Despite a tearful apology from the suspect at the barangay hall, Cooper’s owners are determined to file a formal animal cruelty case
- Barangay Canduman officials confirmed the dog died from multiple blunt force injuries, and legal proceedings are now underway
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A heartbreaking incident in Mandaue City has sparked a wave of outrage among animal welfare advocates after a pet Labrador Retriever, named Cooper, was allegedly beaten to death by a local vendor on January 15, 2026.
Source: Facebook
The family of the slain dog is now seeking formal justice, refusing to accept an apology for what they describe as a "brutal and senseless" act of cruelty.
The tragedy began when Cooper managed to slip out of his home in Barangay Canduman after the chain holding him snapped. The friendly Labrador eventually wandered toward a public market stall.
According to witnesses and barangay officials, the dog began sniffing a box belonging to a dried fish vendor.
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Irritated by the animal's presence, the vendor allegedly struck Cooper repeatedly with a heavy piece of wood.
Initial reports from Barangay Chairman Dante Borbajo suggest that the situation escalated when a bystander falsely claimed the dog was "mad" or rabid, prompting the vendor to deliver the fatal blows.
Despite his injuries, Cooper managed to limp away but eventually succumbed to internal trauma near the market area.
During a confrontation at the Canduman Barangay Hall on Wednesday, January 21, the vendor expressed remorse and reportedly broke down in tears while apologizing to the owners.
However, Cooper’s "fur parents" remain steadfast in their decision to pursue criminal charges under Republic Act 8485, also known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
"No one stood up for him in his final moments," the owner shared in a sentimental social media post, clarifying that while they had lapses in securing their pet, it did not justify the violent killing.
The family provided photos and videos to the authorities showing Cooper’s gentle nature to debunk claims that he was an aggressive or "mad" dog.
Barangay officials have scheduled a final hearing for late January. If no settlement is reached—which seems likely given the owners' resolve—the barangay will issue a Certificate to File Action, allowing the case to move to the prosecutor's office.
Local police have also documented the incident, which has now become a rallying cry for stricter enforcement of animal rights in the province.
In other news, Malacañang has officially dismissed three Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel following a security lapse that allowed a detained Russian vlogger to film unauthorized social media content. The breach, which took place at the Warden’s Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, triggered a massive sweep resulting in the seizure of numerous contraband smartphones from various inmates. The vlogger, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, was flown back to Russia on January 17, 2026, after serving a nine-month term for a string of disruptive "rage-bait" pranks targeting Filipinos. Government investigators are currently auditing the facility’s staff to uncover any additional officers who may have facilitated "VIP treatment" or provided illegal gadgets to the blacklisted foreigner.
Still in other news, a violent physical altercation between two students outside a school in Taal, Batangas, resulted in the tragic death of an 18-year-old victim on Wednesday. According to police reports, a heated verbal exchange between the pair rapidly escalated, leading the suspect to produce a concealed blade and attack the victim. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe abdominal wounds but was unfortunately pronounced dead shortly after arrival due to the gravity of his injuries. Local authorities have successfully apprehended the individual responsible for the stabbing and are currently processing murder charges while determining the exact cause of the friction.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
