A video uploaded by Animal Kingdom Foundation showed a dog placed in an open trunk while the vehicle was moving. AKF/Facebook

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order against the owner of a sedan who allegedly put a dog in the car's trunk. 

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LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said the owner of the Mitsubishi Mirage used to transport the dog is a resident of Cavite.

“This investigation will also find out if the vehicle was being driven by the registered owner or it was being driven by another person at the time of the incident,” Mendoza said.

A video uploaded by Animal Kingdom Foundation showed a dog placed in an open trunk while the vehicle was moving. 

"Animal cruelty comes in many forms: inhumane transport is one of them... Ang mga hayop po ay may buhay din, may pakiramdam sila parang tao," the group said.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) also condemned the incident, adding that "transporting animals in unsafe, cruel conditions is not only inhumane–it is illegal."

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A Facebook post, however, said the driver's brother claimed the dog was rescued from the pound "and since they didn't know if it would bite or not they tied him in the trunk."

"If this is true, good intention, but poor execution," the post read.

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The LTO show cause order directs the registered owner of the vehicle to explain why they should not be held liable for road safety-related regulations over the incident.

“We understand the concerns of the netizens and the Animal Kingdom Foundation over this incident. This is not only about animal rights but also involves road safety,” said Mendoza.

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