A file photo of Pham Minh Hung and his dogs while they were going home on a motorbike on October 8
Talking with Dantri/Dtinews on October 11, Pham Minh Hung said, "I now can only cry. They were my children, my family. I brought them home to seek better shelter during the pandemic and I couldn’t imagine they would be treated that way."
The 49-year-old man said that he and his wife were being treated for Covid-19 at a local hospital and his health was not good.
"I don't want to eat and have not been able to sleep since hearing about them being culled," the man said in tears. "I'm very sorry for them but I am poor and I could not do anything".
According to the man, he and his wife had to sell their house and came to seek a better life in the neighbouring Long An Province after their children got married. Despite earning a modest income as a construction worker, he has kept the dogs and cat for six years.
"I used to earn some VND300,000 (USD 13) a day and I spent VND 100,000 to buy food for them," he said. "I went fishing during my free time to seek more food for them. I can eat poor meals but my children always had enough food."
Hung said he had lost his job for several months due to Covid-19 and he decided to take his large family home in Ca Mau on October 8. But now he was so sad that things ended that way.
The man said he had received lots of sympathy and support from the public once they knew about his story.
"Singer Doan Di Bang has just sent VND 50 million (USD2,174) to support me and said he would help me find a suitable job after I recover," he said. "I’m very moved to receive such warm support and sympathy from him and many other people."
Commenting on the culling of the animals, the Department of Animal Health said that there is little evidence of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from infected animals to humans.
The department was suspicious whether the animals were being tested for Covid-19 before being culled.
"At present, there is no evidence to say that animals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can transmit the virus to humans," the department said. "According to recommendations from some concerned organisations including FAO, animals in such incidents should be isolated, not culled."
On October 11, Tran Van Thoi District People's Committee Chairman Tran Tan Cong said that they have just received a letter of resignation from the head of the local healthcare centre who decided on culling the animals.
"She has received lots of criticism and threats following the incident," Cong said.