BACOLOD City – Is there a campaign to kill stray dogs?
The chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on markets, slaughterhouse and veterinary proposed to conduct an investigation into the killing of dogs in the city.
A pregnant stray dog named “Maria” was allegedly abused and found dead in the vicinity of the San Sebastian Cathedral last week.
Councilor Celia Flor said she will call the attention of the City Veterinary Office (CVO), adding she received reports that several dogs were killed through poisoning.
“Inquiry ta anay kay basi huring-huring lang ina,” she said.
Under Republic Act 8485, or The Animal Welfare Act of 1998” those found guilty of inflicting cruelty on animals may face fines and imprisonment.
The councilor said the city has a dog pound in Barangay 35.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also revealed that the city government is planning to build a new and bigger dog pound in Barangay Granada to accommodate more dogs.
Meanwhile, according to concerned citizen Greenfield Ramirez, “Maria” was a regular visitor at the cathedral for over a year.
The dog was found inside a sack, showing signs of severe abuse before its death.
Ramirez believed the dog was trapped in the bag with sharp objects, intended to cause her painful demise.
For his part, Msgr. Ronaldo Quijano, rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral, said he never ordered the extermination of stray animals in the cathedral’s vicinity.
“I never ordered the extermination of stray animals. I even coordinated with barangay officials through the parish office on how to handle and regulate the dogs as they posed dangers among the faithful, and their waste scattered in the church’s vicinity. We do not tolerate any unjust cruelty towards animals and on any of God’s creation,” read the full statement of Msgr. Quijano released on Friday, April 26./PN
