Manila, Dec. 9 -- The recent brutal killing of a dog allegedly by a local official in Sadanga, Mountain Province, is the latest incident of animal cruelty this year - sparking public outrage, and rightfully so.

According to news reports, the dog, an American Pitbull named Axle, was repeatedly hit with a piece of wood by a man reported to be a municipal official during a community gathering. CCTV footage of the incident, which has made the rounds on social media, showed the dog attempting to flee but continuing to be hit by the man. The dog later died from the injuries sustained, according to the report.

While some would dismiss animal cruelty as a lesser issue compared to the human-centered ills plaguing our society, the tragic death of...