These dogs aren’t man’s best friends

CEBU, Philippines - There are bullies in sitio Bontores, barangay Mohon, Talisay City and they aren’t the average bad-tempered, shabby-looking next-door neighbors.

These are dogs that seem to prevent residents from crossing an imaginary line along the only path leading to the main road.

The fearless, for lack of common sense, can become cowardly the instant he sees the dogs rushing towards him.

Imagine children refusing to run errands and adults skipping work because the dogs have seemingly issued a warning: cross the line and we’ll sink our teeth into your f—g leg.

But an independent thinker had emerged.

Alfred Alindao, when he got the chance, sprayed acid on two of the dogs, killing one of them.

In next to no time, one Marcial Lumayag filed a complaint in the barangay hall against Alindao.

Village chief Dario Villaver said Alindao had admitted doing it and asked for forgiveness and promised never to do it again.

The incident reached the attention of the Cebu South Dog Club and threatened to sue Alindao for violating the Animal Welfare Act.

But the other day, Alindao’s neighbors gathered and told reporters that it has been almost a year since they have suffered, all of them having been chased by the dogs.

They said their children refuse to do errands for them.

A woman said there was a time her husband failed to report for work because he saw the dogs up ahead.

Residents say no one has claimed ownership.

Before the acid-spraying incident, Alindao and his wife were on a bicycle on their way home and were chased as soon as they passed by the dogs.

The couple fell to the ground and sustained injuries.

Alindao couldn’t find the owner.

After the incident, Alindao, who ekes out a living as a shell craft factory worker, thought about attacking the dogs with acid.

He got the opportunity when the dogs chased him again.

Barangay captain Villaver told reporters that stray dogs will continue to roam because the city pound is congested. (FREEMAN)