Video: He Was Dragged Behind a Truck Until He Collapsed. Then PETA Stepped In.
A Video No One Could Ignore
Kabang didn’t choose to run. A rope was knotted around his neck, the other end tied to a moving pickup truck—and for nearly 25 kilometers on a steep, winding cemented road, he had no choice but to run until he simply couldn’t anymore. He collapsed. And when the footage of his abuse went viral, PETA tracked Kabang down to an unlicensed ranch in Misamis Oriental and immediately began working to secure his release.
The Fight to Free Kabang
Getting custody of Kabang was anything but easy. PETA flew a team to the island, met with local government officials, and flew in an equine veterinarian. PETA refused to back down and kept pushing until full custody was secured. Kabang’s former owner was banned from caring for animals for life.
A Six-Day Journey to Safety
A PETA-arranged veterinary exam revealed that Kabang was suffering from severe lameness, hip pain, and hoof inflammation—conditions his former owner had never bothered to treat. PETA provided him with much-needed pain medication and prepared to transport him to a horse hospital.
When long-distance passenger ships and air cargo companies refused to transport a horse, PETA secured a horse trailer and truck and embarked on a six-day, more than 1,500-kilometer journey that included two ferry crossings, stopping frequently so Kabang could graze and rest.
The equine veterinarian who accompanied Kabang throughout the entire journey stayed by his side through the difficult parts of trip—and by the time they arrived at the hospital in Batangas, he had already fallen in love with Kabang and asked to adopt him.
Kabang’s New Life
Today, Kabang lives free from exploitation. He spends his days in peace at his forever home, where he continues to recover in the company of other horses and a person who sees him for who he is—not what he can be used for.
What You Can Do
Kabang is free today because the footage of his abuse sparked nationwide outrage, and caring citizens shared the video with PETA—setting his rescue in motion. If you see an animal being abused, don’t look away—speak up, document it, and report
Your support makes rescues like Kabang’s possible—help us be there for the next animal who needs us.
