The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has launched an investigation against the owner of a sedan seen transporting a dog in the vehicle’s open trunk, following a video that sparked outrage online.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza confirmed that the vehicle in question, a Mitsubishi Mirage, is registered to a resident of Cavite. He emphasized that the investigation aims to determine whether the registered owner was driving the car at the time of the incident or if it was someone else.
“This investigation will also find out if the vehicle was being driven by the registered owner or it was being driven by another person at the time of the incident,” Mendoza explained.
The controversy began when a video shared by the Animal Kingdom Foundation showed a dog placed in an open trunk while the vehicle was in motion. The group condemned the act, stating, “Animal cruelty comes in many forms: inhumane transport is one of them… Ang mga hayop po ay may buhay din, may pakiramdam sila parang tao.”
However, a separate Facebook post suggested an alternative narrative. The driver’s brother reportedly claimed that the dog was rescued from a pound, and due to concerns it might bite, they tied it in the trunk for safety. The post read, “If this is true, good intention, but poor execution.”
The LTO has issued a show cause order requiring the registered owner to explain why they should not be held liable for violating road safety regulations related to the incident.
“We understand the concerns of the netizens and the Animal Kingdom Foundation over this incident. This is not only about animal rights but also involves road safety,” Mendoza stressed.
