BAGUIO CITY — As outrage continues to swell over the killing of an American Bully named Axle in Sadanga, Mountain Province, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) is urging the local government to go beyond statements of condemnation and ensure the law is fully enforced.

The Sadanga LGU issued a clarification on 9 December, confirming that the person behind the dog’s killing is a municipal staff driver — not an elected councilor, contrary to early rumors that spread on social media. The incident happened on 4 December and has since drawn national attention.

But for AKF and other animal welfare advocates, the clarification is only the beginning.

In an emotional “Open Letter in Honor of Axle,” AKF called on the public, the Sadanga LGU, and law enforcement to strictly apply Republic Act 8485 (Animal Welfare Act of 1998), as amended by RA 10631, against the perpetrator.

“We respectfully appeal… to ensure that the Animal Welfare Act is fully upheld,” AKF wrote, describing Axle’s death as “cruel” and a stark reminder that justice and compassion must guide all actions concerning life.

The foundation emphasized that Axle’s case sends a clear message: animal lives matter. While AKF acknowledged the LGU’s effort to correct misinformation, it stressed that doing so “does not diminish the gravity of the offense.”

“Dogs like Axle are not mere property,” the group added, noting that amicable settlements should not overshadow legal accountability.

AKF also recognized Sadanga’s strong culture, traditions and sense of dignity — and said that standing up for animals strengthens, not contradicts, those values. Protecting the voiceless, the group noted, is a reflection of moral leadership and cultural integrity.

As the investigation continues, authorities are under growing pressure to ensure the municipal staff member faces appropriate charges under the Animal Welfare Act, which penalizes cruelty to animals. The brutality of the attack has shaken both locals and the wider public, with advocates vowing to monitor the case until justice is served.

AKF also called on Filipinos everywhere to stand with Axle — and to keep the conversation about animal welfare alive in every home and community.