BACOLOD City – The scheduled “mercy killing” of impounded dogs in this city was put on hold. Authorities are convening today to explore alternatives.
Under City Ordinance 184, if the dog owner fails to redeem the impounded dog for 10 days, the animal will be terminated or subject to adoption.
On Feb. 16, secretary to the mayor Edward Joseph Cuansing, City Veterinary Office head Maria Agueda Trinidad Dela Torre and executive assistant Ernesto Pineda convened to tackle concerns on the impounded dogs at the Bacolod City Pound in Barangay 35.
The officials sat down with BACH Project Ph spokesperson Daniel Sam Salvatierra and PAWSsion founder Malou Perez.
It was agreed that the mass euthanasia, supposedly scheduled after Feb. 20, will be put on hold.
City pound officer-in-charge Julius Galve, executive assistant Meneil Lopez of the Public Information Office, Leslie Garcia and Pedrito Cabuguason of the City Mayor’s Office-Sectoral Concerns Office, and BACH Project Ph members Arlyn Perez and Liza Villanueva also joined the meeting.
“Upon hearing the situation and condition of the dogs at the Bacolod City Dog Pound, the local government unit heard us and is willing to work for the betterment of the animal welfare in Bacolod City,” BACH Project Ph wrote in a social media post.
She added there were more things discussed “aside from turning a high-kill pound to a non-kill shelter” for these animals.
NEUTERING INSTEAD OF KILLING
The BACH Project Ph proposed that instead of killing the animals, spaying and neutering them could be cheaper.
“The goal of impounding is to stop the spread of rabies, which is commendable,” the group said. “But rabies is usually spread by stray dogs that have been abandoned or neglected by their owners. The dog and cat population increases because of these strays.”
“The population explosion can be prevented by spaying and neutering the dogs and cats. We have proposed spaying and neutering services as it is cheaper than killing them despite of their innocence,” it added.
“Together, we can make Bacolod an animal-friendly city. Together, we can view animals in Bacolod living a life free of cruelty and suffering, treated with kindness, respect, care and care in a non-judgmental and safe environment,” it furthered. /PN
