LGUs told to set up dog pounds
LOCAL government units have been reminded that they are mandated by law to put up dog pounds for stray dogs as provided for in the National Anti-Rabies Act or Republic Act No. 9482.
Dr. Eric Perez, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) issued the reminder during the KBP Forum on Thursday and added that LGUs are not only mandated to ensure that their constituents are safe from rabies but are also enjoined to impound all stray dogs, some of which could be carriers of rabies that pose serious health hazards to people in the communities, especially children.
The anti-rabies act called on all LGUs not only to enforce the mass vaccination of dogs with anti-rabies vaccine in their respective areas but also to set up dog pounds where all stray dogs could be brought and vaccinated to make them less dangerous to the public.
Toward this end, the provincial board passed a resolution two weeks ago on motion of Board Member Amado Espino III.
Perez revealed that 12 persons already died of rabies during the first quarter of this year as compared to just 11 for the whole year of 2014.
But he said, what is more alarming is the report from the Regional Animal Diagnostic Center in Sta. Barbara that it has diagnosed 40 rabid dogs from different towns during the first three months of this year.
This, he added, stressed the urgency to have every pet dog vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine, which is given by the provincial government with the help of the Bureau of Animal Industry for free.
The PVO has 3,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccine, boosted by another 4,500 vials that came from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Each vial is good for 10 dogs.
He said his office is encouraging responsible pet ownership and to prove this, dog owners must submit their dogs for vaccination once a year. (PIO)
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