MAYOR Belen Fernandez has urged Dagupan pet owners to have their dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies, warning that treatment for bites and scratches is far more costly than regular vaccination.

Speaking on her weekly television program Sumbungan ng Bayan on Wednesday, Fernandez noted reports that pet owners themselves are often the ones bitten or scratched—usually when they accidentally step on their pets or mishandle them.

City Health Officer Dr. Julita de Venecia, who appeared on the program, stressed that even minor scratches from dogs or cats require anti-rabies shots since pets frequently lick their paws. She said Dagupan currently has 3,169 registered dogs and cats, yet incidents of pet-inflicted injuries continue to rise.

Records from the City Health Office’s Animal Bite Center show that from January to November this year, a total of 26,793 patients received anti-rabies treatment—an average of 2,500 cases per month. The highest monthly tally was recorded in June, when more than 500 individuals sought treatment for bites or scratches.

While anti-rabies vaccines are provided free of charge, De Venecia clarified that patients must pay for their tetanus shots. Booster doses for rabies treatment are also subsidized, with the first two doses free; however, the third dose must be paid for by patients who can afford it. She reiterated the need for responsible pet ownership and urged residents to keep their animals vaccinated to help curb the growing number of bite cases. (Leonardo Micua)