Investigation urged against man over video of puppy being fed to pet python in Cagayan

GATTARAN, Cagayan – Animal welfare advocates and netizens are calling on authorities to launch an official investigation following the online circulation of a video that allegedly shows a puppy being fed to a pet python.

In a report published by Sikat Today on September 20, 2026, the individual facing scrutiny was identified as Rommel C. Martinez. The controversial footage, which circulated across social media platforms between September 17 and 20, drew immediate condemnation from the public.

Shortly after the video went viral, Martinez’s Facebook account and the footage itself were deactivated or removed from public search.

The incident sparked a swift reaction from animal welfare group FurPaws Society, which urged authorities to look into the circumstances surrounding the video. The organization noted that if the footage and the details of the event are authenticated, the act would constitute a severe violation of Philippine animal welfare laws.

Under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8485), as amended by Republic Act No. 10631, the torture, neglect, and maltreatment of animals are strictly prohibited. The law mandates proper care, sustenance, and shelter for animals, prescribing heavy penalties for cruelty. Violations resulting in an animal's death carry a prison sentence ranging from one year and six months to two years, a fine of up to ₱100,000, or both.

Local authorities have actively pursued similar animal cruelty complaints in recent months. In December 2025, police in Sadanga, Mountain Province, filed criminal charges after an American Bully named Axle was beaten to death in Barangay Saclit. The case was subsequently elevated to the Mountain Province Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. More recently, in July 2026, a man was arrested in Baguio City for the alleged slaughter of three dogs, prompting the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office to reiterate that the dog meat trade remains illegal.

As of press time, the allegations regarding the Gattaran incident remain unverified. No official statements confirming the filing of formal charges against Martinez have been released by the Gattaran Municipal Police Station, the Cagayan Provincial Police Office, or local prosecutors.

An official investigation has been urged to establish the authenticity of the video, confirm the identity of the individual involved, and determine whether violations of the Animal Welfare Act were committed.