WATCH: 'Brutal' Boracay dog-catchers caught on viral video

MANILA, Philippines— A video of men catching dogs on Boracay's beachfront recently circulated on social media prior to the island's reopening, prompting online comments against animal cruelty.

In its Facebook page, animal rights advocate non-profit organization Animal Rescue Boracay by Aklan Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center warned dog owners of Boracay of the dog-catchers by posting a video of unleashed dogs being captured.

The group said the video was taken on October 20 and the dogs were brought to the public dog pound on the island.

The animal advocates said it has been receiving "disturbing reports and videos of very brutal dog-catchers on the island." It added that the catchers do not just focus on strays.

“Even a reporter with a her dog on the leash got warned—it is not allowed to walk your dog?,” the group asked.

“Dog catchers are hunting, obviously not even homeless dogs before re-opening at Oct. 26!,” it added.

DA guidelines on catching, keeping animals

The group then reminded the dog-catchers of Section 6 of Department of Agriculture Administrative Circular 03, Series of 2015, which sets guidelines for the humane capture of animals.

“Animals shall be captured, transported and restrained in most humane manner where dragging, whipping, throwing, unnecessary lifting and pulling by the neck, ears or legs of the animal shall be prohibited,” the provision reads.

The circular is on the policies and guidelines surrounding animal pounds.

The same guidelines require the catching team to be composed of “matured individuals that shall demonstrate empathy and act humanely towards dogs and animals in general.” It also said only qualified individuals who have completed training on humane handling of animals conducted by experts on the field shall join the catching team.

The group said the footage that went viral shows that people involved “are acting contrary to the law.”

'Removal of strays ineffective'

“Culling and mere removal of stray animals is NOT population control. Rather, it is only temporary and VERY ineffective for reasons of biological principles (vacant space being occupied quickly by competing or neighbouring populations),” Animal Rescue Boracay said.

“What is needed is a SUSTAINABLE and continuous program of stray animal population control, addressing both human and animal factors, as has been suggested by AARRC and others on a number of occasions,” it added.

Due to this, the animal rights advocate group advised owners to be responsible and not let their pets roam around.

On Saturday, the group reported that it has rescued nine dogs from the public dog pounds in Malay and Boracay.

It said the rescued dogs that made it to their shelter will be given a checkup, vaccinated, and spay or neutered.

The group stressed it does not agree with the tactics of the Boracay dog-catchers.