QC mall dismisses security guard for throwing puppy from footbridge
*By HANNAH NICOL
* A mall in Quezon City dismissed one of its security guards for allegedly throwing a puppy from a footbridge along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), in the city on Tuesday, July 11. The incident happened at around 6:15 p.m. on July 11 on a footbridge connecting SM North EDSA The Block and Trinoma in Quezon City. Janine Santos, one of the witnesses, said in a Facebook post that she asked for help to save the puppy after the security guard threw it from the footbridge. She said she saw the guard throw the puppy after some children who were with the animal refused to leave the area. Santos added that the puppy died even before they were able to bring it to the veterinary clinic.
Photo from Philippine Animl Welfare Society/ MANILA BULLETIN
In a statement on Wednesday, July 12, the management of SM North EDSA strongly condemned the security guard's action particularly since the mall is known to be a pet-friendly establishment. It also expressed sympathy to the children who appeared to be the owners of the puppy. It called the attention of the security agency of the guard to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation on the incident. According to the management of the mall, the security guard has been dismissed and is no longer allowed to serve any of their malls nationwide. Lawyer Nino Casimiro, city attorney, also criticized the cruelty to animal by the security guard in a statement. “We are aware of the incident involving a security guard who, while allegedly trying to drive a group of vendors away from a mall in Quezon City, ended up throwing a puppy over the elevated footbridge and onto the street below. Based on reports, the puppy has sadly succumbed to its injuries and has died,” he said. “Quezon City is a safe haven for animals, and we are strict in enforcing Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act. We are currently conducting a full investigation into the matter, and will apply the full weight of the law in the event that any guilt is established,” he added. Meanwhile, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) also posted on its Facebook page that it would file a case against the security guard. According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, it files cases against those who have hurt animals that had no owners or guardians as long as there were witnesses to the cruel act who were willing to file an affidavit.