WATCH: Father of the child on a leash speaks up: ‘Stop criticizing us’

The parents of the baby boy whose photos became viral on social media have finally spoken up in an interview to explain their side. The mother stated that what they did was just for fun, and the father came to the defense of his wife.  They both refused to have their faces shown on camera.

Please read: Netizens angry as mom puts baby on a leash; calls it a pet

In an interview with ABS-CBN, both of the boy’s parents spoke up about the incident. The mother said posting the photos on Facebook was a mistake on her part.

“Yung sintas po ng sapatos kinuha po ng anak ko. Pinaglaruan niya. Mismong linagay 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. 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.”

[My son got some shoelaces. He played with it and put it on (or around) his neck. We were also feeding our Shih Tzu dog that just gave birth. My son saw it and imitated it. Since we were feeding our dog, so we included him (in the photo). We were just having fun. My mistake was that I posted the picture without thinking of what would happen. I was just amused with my son.]

The father, whose voice was breaking during the interview, came into the defense of his wife.

“Kilala ko ang asawa ko. Sa mga nag-co-comment, sana tigilan niyo na kami.”

(I know my wife. To the people criticizing us, I hope you stop.)

Currently, the boy is under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare Department (DSWD) and his mother will undergo counselling.

Featured photo image screen-grabbed from ABS-CBN News YouTube video.