Taguig mall considers K9 training for adopted stray dogs

Photo from Vista Mall

MANILA, Philippines — After adopting ten stray dogs, the management of a Taguig-based mall is open to the possibility giving K9 training for their four-legged family, which can augment their security efforts.

Previously, a video of a stray dog, named “Dog-Dog,” went viral on social media after it became an honorary member of the security team of the mall.

“For now, Dog-Dog is just an honorary member. Maybe eventually down the line if he has the proper training, skills para maging isang K9, why not? Kasi aspins (Filipino dogs) and puspins (Filipino cats) are […] animals capable of being trained. Of course, kailangan nila iyong [training] pagdaanan,” Bryan San Andres, corporate marketing officer of Vista Malls, said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net.

(Aspins and puspins are animals capable of being trained. Of course, they need to undergo actual training.)

“We will see down the line kung anong possibilities for Dog-Dog and all other dogs na mayroon sa mga malls natin,” he added.

(We will see what other possibilities we can give to Dog-Dog and all other dogs.)

To keep mall-goers safe, San Andres said they are studying if their adopted dogs can undergo training for crime prevention tactics of K9 units.

“Oo naman. Basta mapadaan sa proper training ‘yung mga dogs. It takes training and skill para maacquire ng animals iyong ganoong capability,” he said when asked if their adopted dogs can be trained for crime deterrent in the malls.

(Of course. Just as long as the dogs are given proper training. It takes training and skill for animals to acquire that capacity.)

“Dog-dog has to be evaluated by licensed trainers but we are already looking into this,” San Andres said in a separate text message.

Rico Suco, one of the security guards who brought home Dog-Dog, said the mall and its personnel adopted 10 stray dogs, some of them puppies of Dog-Dog.

“Ang aso po na alaga namin ay sampung piraso po.. At may inaampon pa po akong apat na malalaki na,” Suco said in an online message through Facebook Messenger.

(We take care of 10 dogs. I also adopted four full-grown dogs.)

Taking care of man’s best friend

For Suco, he wanted to give a home for his furry friend, Dog-Dog, who is staying within the vicinity of the mall.

“Naawa po ako sa mga aso na pakalat kalat sa mall. Wala po silang makain. Mga payat po sila,” he said. (I took pity on them, they are not eating anything. They are skinny.)

“Napakabait po ang aming admin po. Kaya po sila pumayag na mag-stay dito sa mall at alagaan naming mga guard kasi po naawa din po sila, mga doglover din po sila. At nag bibigay din po sila nang pagkain sa inalagaan naming aso,” added Suco.

(Our admin is really kind. They permitted the stray dogs to stay because they are also doglovers. And they also take care of dogs by giving food.)

According to mall owners, Dog-Dog has been wandering near the mall for the past five years since the establishment was undergoing construction.

San Andres, meanwhile, said they take care of tame dogs to ensure the safety of their workers as well as customers.

“Minsan kapag nakakakita ka ng stray dogs matatapang. […] Kapag hindi aggressive ang animals we let them stay around kasi siyempre we have to ensure the safety of employees and customers,” he said, noting that their adopted dogs are not aggressive towards mall visitors.

(Sometimes when you see stray dogs, they are vicious. If the dogs are not aggressive, we let them stay because we need to ensure the safety of everyone.)

He also underscored that their management values the importance of considering pets as family.

“We are caring towards animals. We acknowledge the relationship between humans and animals. […] We consider them as family. We make sure malls are pet-friendly, we, of course, have specific guidelines na sinusunod,” he said.

The mall and its personnel are also ensuring the safety and health of dogs by giving vaccines and other pet needs, San Andres also noted.

The mall’s relationship with the City’s Veterinary Office gives opportunity to regularly check their adopted four-legged animals.

San Andres also highlighted that taking care of the pets is a collective effort of their tenants, customers, and management.

JE