ILOILO – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is calling on the 43 local government units (LGUs) in this province to establish “impounding areas” for stray dogs.
Some “70 to 80 percent” of the province’s total dog population of 324,764, particularly at the barangay level, are stray or inadequately cared for by their owners, according to Dr. Darel Tabuada, the PVO chief.
But only about 25 percent of the LGUs have impounding areas, he lamented.
“Our anti-rabies vaccination rates are high but if we do not address the stray dog issue, we cannot solve the rabies problem,” Tabuada told Panay News.
Majority of the LGUs have not yet established such facilities often due to the need to allocate funds to make the areas functional, Tabuada explained.
LGUs including Santa Barbara, Leganes, Oton, and Igbaras were mentioned as having established impounding areas.
Tabuada emphasized that starting next year, the PVO will focus on ensuring that all LGUs establish impounding areas as a requirement to achieve a rabies-free Iloilo province by 2030.
“We will work out next year. That will be our focus,” he stressed.
The establishment of impounding areas by LGUs is also a criterion used by the PVO to award top-performing LGUs annually for their implementation of the rabies program.
Tabuada explained that the PVO is ready to extend technical assistance to LGUs that request help in establishing impounding areas for stray, unwanted, and unvaccinated dogs.
“We will assist them upon request. We train dog catchers and assist in euthanasia if the LGUs do not have a veterinarian,” added Tabuada.
Regarding the implementation of euthanasia, Tabuada noted that they follow the guidelines set in Section 6 of Republic Act 8485, also known as The Animal Welfare Act of 1998. This section states that it is unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance, or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to fights, kill or cause to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, or use them in unauthorized research or experiments.
The killing of any animal other than cattle pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer and crocodiles is likewise hereby declared unlawful except in the following instances:
* When it is done as part of the religious rituals of an established religion or sect or a ritual required by tribal or ethnic custom of indigenous cultural communities; however, leaders shall keep records in cooperation with the Committee on Animal Welfare;
* When the pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;
* When the killing is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the animal as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;
* When it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being;
* When done for the purpose of animal population control;
* When the animal is killed after it has been used in authorized research or experiments; and
* Any other ground analogous to the foregoing as determined and certified licensed veterinarian.
In all the above mentioned cases, including those of cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer and crocodiles the killing of the animals shall be done through humane procedures at all times.
In addition to establishing impounding areas for stray dogs, the Iloilo provincial government under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. continues to intensify its efforts to curb rabies through a comprehensive dog vaccination program.
Since taking office in 2019, the Defensor administration annually allocates P8 million to purchase 20,150 vials of vaccines, targeting at least 70 percent of the province’s total dog population.
As of August 31, 2024, approximately 279,989 dogs, or 86.21 percent of the dog population in the province, have been vaccinated this year.
The PVO is also actively conducting spaying and neutering activities across LGUs, aiming to promote responsible pet ownership and address the challenge of pet overpopulation in the community.
To date, the PVO has successfully spayed 273 dogs and castrated 648 dogs.
Furthermore, from October 1 to 7, the province celebrated Animal Welfare Week, as designated by Presidential Proclamation No. 715 dated October 11, 2014. This annual observance is aimed at fostering a culture of kindness and responsibility towards animals among Filipinos, particularly the youth.
The proclamation underscores the importance of kindness, justice, and protection for all living creatures as key factors in maintaining and restoring the country’s ecological balance./PN
