BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -- Wild dogs attacked more than 100 ducks, breaking their necks and ripping out their hearts, during two separate assaults in the village of Camalobalo, Hinigaran town, Negros Occidental.

Dr. Adel Mondia, head of the team from the Provincial Veterinarian Office sent to probe the incident, said farm owner Julius Pajaro told the team Wednesday that wild dogs killed 86 ducks during the first assault and another 40 on their second attack.

The attacks happened twice between midnight and 2 a.m. Thursday last week and on Sunday, Mondia said.

Pajaro also told Mondia they tried to shoot the dogs but they disappeared into a cane field.

Mondia said he learned from Pajaro that the dogs broke the necks of the ducks first before ripping out their hearts.

Earlier, some of the village residents have speculated that an "amomongo" (ape) could have attacked the ducks. An "amomongo" was also suspected to have attacked farm animals in the village of Sag-ang, La Castellana town earlier this month.

Hinigaran Mayor Hermilo Aguilar said patrols were conducted in the area to catch the wild assailants.

Aguilar also warned town residents to refrain from eating the meat of the ducks as these could be contaminated with rabies.

Pajaro had told Mondia he gave whatever was left of the ducks to village residents who intended to eat the meat.

Mondia urged the residents who ate the duck meat to inform health clinics if they have fever so they could be treated for possible exposure to rabies.