Netizens and animal welfare groups are calling for accountability following the death of a community cat that was mauled by off-leash dogs in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.
The incident was first brought to public attention by Cats of McKinley. In a post dated April 14, the group reported that one of their cats had been chased by a dog being walked without a leash in the area.
Two days later, a more severe incident occurred involving another community cat named Ghost, a black-and-white female feline described by the group as one of their “kindest.”
According to reports, Ghost was attacked and bitten by a group of huskies along Le Grand Avenue, in front of a fast food branch.
The attack was captured on video by a concerned citizen, Kate Madrigal, who later shared the footage online. She claimed that the dogs’ owner, who was walking three huskies, did not intervene and left the scene after the attack, similar to the earlier incident.
Despite being rushed to a veterinary clinic, Ghost later succumbed to her injuries due to complications.
Tributes for Ghost flooded social media, with some netizens sharing photos and memories of the community cat.
Cats of McKinley also stressed that this was not the first time huskies in the area had attacked community cats, urging pet owners to maintain responsibility.
“We urge everyone to please keep your dogs on a leash at all times and if you cannot handle your dogs during walks, do not bring them outside. This is not only for the safety of our community cats, but for the safety of people and other animals around you. Incidents like this are entirely preventable if we practice responsible pet ownership,” the group said in a statement.
The case has since drawn support from other animal welfare organizations, including Ginger Friends PH, which described the incident as “negligence” rather than a simple accident. The group’s statement has since garnered more than 27,000 reactions on Facebook.
CARA Welfare Philippines also weighed in, emphasizing that responsible pet ownership includes preventing harm before it happens.
“Responsibility does not end at ownership. It shows in how we prevent harm before it happens,” the group wrote, adding that Ghost’s life “mattered” and should serve as a call for change.
In a recent update, Cats of McKinley said an investigation is ongoing and appealed for patience from the public, noting that legal processes take time.
The group also clarified that while they appreciate the outpouring of support, not all updates can be disclosed immediately as they continue to gather evidence and complete necessary requirements for the case.
They further clarified that Ghost was under their care and not affiliated with another community group, BGC Cats, often mentioned online.
Earlier, the organization said it is consulting with other animal welfare groups to determine the appropriate legal steps to hold the dog owner accountable. The video of the incident, along with other documentation, is expected to be used as evidence as the case moves forward.
