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The parents of the one-year-old boy who was photographed being treated like a dog are now saying that their son was just mimicking their pet Shih Tzu.
The mother added that all she actually did was take the photos and that she thinks that the only mistake she made was in posting the images to Facebook.
Plus, get this: She also claims that the one-year-old boy was responsible for trying that makeshift leash (which they said was actually a shoelace) around his own neck.
People were enraged by this photo of a naked baby with a leash around his neck and a bowl in front of him.
The photo, which made the rounds on Facebook, drew hundreds of negative comments from social media users, who say the boy was treated like a dog.
The child’s parents refused to face the camera. The mother admitted she uploaded the photo but said it was all in the name of fun.
“Yung sintas po ng sapatos kinuha po ng anak ko. Pinaglaruan niya. Mismong nilagay niya sa leeg niya. E meron din kaming asong bagong panganak na Shih Tzu. Kumbaga, nakikita ng bata. Tapos ginagaya niya. E natiyempo pa na magpapakain kami ng aso nun. Kaya yung nakita niyo po sa video na dog food, kaya naisama siya dun. Napagkatuwaan na din siya,” she said.
(My baby found the shoelace and began playing with it. He put it around his neck. We also have a dog, a Shih Tzu, that had just given birth. The child was trying to mimic it. It happened that we were about to feed the dog. He was just placed beside the dog food. It was all in fun.)
The parents were shocked when the photo went viral on social media. They said they did not expect the backlash.
“Ang pagkakamali ko pinost ko na yung picture nang di ko iniisip kung ano ang mangyayari. Kumbaga, sa akin natutuwa lang ako sa anak ko,” the mother said.
(My mistake was that I posted it. I didn’t think about what would happen. I was just really amused with my child.)
The child’s father also has a request to those who express negative comments against them on social media.
“Kilala ko ang asawa ko. Sa mga nag-co-comment, sana tigilan niyo na kami,” he said.
(I know my wife. Those criticizing us, I hope they stop.)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said the parents may face criminal charges for child abuse.
Assistant Secretary JV Jimenez said the photo sends the wrong message to the public. “They violated the rights and dignity of the child,” he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has taken custody of the one-year-old child.
Social workers say the boy is in good condition.
The mother will undergo counseling and psychological evaluation. (ANC)
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
Photo: Video screengrab
