Alarmed by reports of a dog allegedly being dragged by a moving tricycle along a road in Angeles City, Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. has called on authorities to immediately identify and locate the driver involved in the disturbing incident.
The appeal came after social media posts circulated by the Animal Kingdom Foundation showed a dog seemingly chained to a tricycle while being dragged on the road, drawing outrage from netizens and animal welfare advocates.
Lazatin said he immediately sought the assistance of the Public Transportation Regulatory Office (PTRO) of Angeles City and the Land Transportation Office after receiving reports from a concerned citizen regarding the incident.
“Nakatanggap po tayo ng report mula sa isang concerned citizen tungkol sa pangyayaring ito, kaya agad po akong sumulat kay PTRO Chief Ferdinand Calma para humingi ng tulong sa kanila na mahanap ang driver ng tricycle na involved sa insidente dahil allegedly sa report po ay taga Angeles City daw po ang nasabing driver,” Lazatin said.
The congressman stressed that pet owners must ensure the safety and welfare of animals whenever they are transported.
“Hindi po tama ito. Kung gusto po natin na isama ang ating mga alaga pag lumalabas tayo, dapat siguraduhin natin na sila ay nakasakay ng ligtas sa loob ng sasakyan,” he added.
“Ang ating mga alaga ay may buhay. Kailangan din po nating respetuhin ang kanilang pakiramdam at buhay.”
Known for advocating animal welfare measures, Lazatin has consistently pushed for stronger protections for animals both during his time as Angeles City mayor and now as a legislator.
He previously filed House Bill No. 8710, or the proposed “Public Veterinary Clinics and Animal Shelter Development Act,” which seeks the establishment of local animal shelters and pound facilities in every city and municipality under a strict no-kill policy.
Lazatin also backed the call of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society for local governments to promote free spaying and neutering services through incentives for private veterinarians.
During his term as city mayor, Angeles City also enacted the landmark “Animal Welfare and Protection Code of Angeles City,” principally authored by Councilor Arvin Suller, which strengthened animal protection programs and institutionalized free veterinary services, anti-rabies vaccination, and the establishment of a no-kill shelter in the city.
City records showed that before Lazatin stepped down as mayor, the City Veterinary Office had already provided free spaying and neutering services to 5,973 pets and administered anti-rabies vaccines to 130,520 animals.
