Facebook user Jerzon Senador uploaded photos of what seemed like a newly washed stuffed toy pinned to a clothesline and hanging out to dry. But it was actually a real live puppy. The images ignited an online firestorm that Senador at first met with defiance. But he later apologized and took the photos down, demonstrating once again the speed of fame and infamy on the web. The album Bagung Ligo si 'PUPPY' was posted on June 12, Independence Day in the Philippines. Unfortunately, Puppy could not enjoy freedom as he was hanging there secured by five clothespins. Initially, the album was met with disgust by at least a couple of other Facebook users. Dogsand Catslover clicked "unlike," while Jhane Aragon posted "anu ba yan.."
The Facebook page "Report, Jerzon Senador the Animal Abuser" was created "to raise awareness regarding Animal Cruelty." As of this posting, more than 3,000 Facebook users have liked the page, but uploading pictures and videos has temporarily been disabled.
Indignant viewers Some of those who saw the photos were indignant, and condemned the act as well as Senador. The creator of the page warned people several times to avoid cursing or making threats. Despite negative comments, Senador was unapologetic, saying "hahaha,..winashing k p nga yan weh..." and "Hahaha, hnd ako makukulong noh..remember senador toh! aquh ng pa2pad ng Animal cruelty at kya kong bawiin yun!! ahahahaha." Those up in arms knew this was no laughing matter, and continued to protest in their own virtual spaces and on the page which was created to serve as warning to all Animal Abusers. "Jerzon Senador is just one of them, we have to do our part to help others in need. Not only pets but others as well," according to the page. "Can we all email to PAWS the link to this dog abusers fb album?" asked Thysz on Twitter. "Animal cruelty is never cute. I hope somebody takes action on acts like this," said Weenarte on Twitter. Sheenah Tan wrote Senador
an open letter on her personal blog, suggesting other activities he could have done if the act was done out of boredom. "If you’re bored, you can do a whole lot of things but not pinning a poor puppy to dry. I bet you studied Biology and you are very aware that dogs can’t take care of themselves when they’re soaking wet," she wrote on her blog.
Puppy owner's apology Following pressure from netizens, Senador has since apologized via his own Facebook wall, saying "To All Animal Lovers and to all over the world (sic) please read this: “Gusto ko humingi ng tawad sa nagawa kong kasalanan sa aking alagang aso.. Sana mapatawad nyo ako at pinapangako ko na hindi na mauulit…" The apology was accepted by some, but found lacking by others. Facebook user Jess Rubi wrote "... he ruined his life by posting those pics. Not funny kahit saang anggulo tingnan. He should have thought of the outcome before niya ginawa yun, di na sya bata." Jheck Kcehj Lopera said even the Lord forgives those who apologize for their sins. "Kaya patawarin na natin siya. Pero kelangan niya pa rin tangapin ang consequences sa kanyang mga actions," he wrote. Others continued to threaten Senador, challenging him to show his face in public. Meanwhile, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was grateful. "Thank you to everyone who posted about Jerzon Senador, the guy who hung his puppy on a clothesline and posted it on his facebook. We'll keep you posted," was PAWS' status message on Tuesday morning. GMA News Online is still trying to contact PAWS and Senador as of this posting. Last month, a Quezon City court convicted a University of the Philippines Diliman student for violating Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
PAWS filed the case against UP Physics major Joseph Carlo Candare after netizens campaigned against him. Candare killed a cat, then wrote about it on his blog, incurring the wrath of animal welfare advocates online.
— VS/HS, GMA News 
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