Dog catchers go about their task in Samal. Photo by Ernie Esconde
SAMAL, Bataan – “Sama-sama nating gawing posible ang maayos at tamang pangangalaga ng ating mga alagang aso at pusa.”
Thus, Mayor Aida Macalinao called on her constituents as the local government here on Friday continued to impound stray cats and dogs to clear the streets of the animals aimed at curbing the transmission of rabies to humans.
Macalinao said the campaign will go on in compliance with an ordinance promoting responsible pet ownership recently passed by the sangguniang bayan presided by Vice Mayor Felix Espino, Jr.
The ordinance was introduced and sponsored by SB member Amelia Dela Rosa and co-sponsored by SB member Evangeline Buensuceso. It penalizes residents who are negligent in providing proper care to their pet animals.
“It seeks to address animal bite incidents and stray animals in public places in the interest of public safety and health. It is to ensure that every pet is traceable to its owner and to promote responsible pet ownership,” a portion of the ordinance read.
Macalinao said that the number of victims of dog bites is alarming and so the need for streets to be clean and safe from stray dogs and cats, hence the passage of the ordinance.
The ordinance calls for dog tagging and the mandatory registration of pet dogs with ages three months and above with the barangay secretary. Vaccination record is a pre-requisite to acquire registration certificate.
It is also mandatory that all dog/cat owners keep their pets confined within their premises by proper housing or leashing the same to avoid incidence of rabid dog/cat bites on humans and to prevent contamination from other dog/cat bites.
Owners may redeem their impounded cat or dog within 72 hours upon payment of subsistence and penalties. Animals not redeemed after three days shall be declared abandoned and placed for adoption with P300 as adoption fee each.
A cat or dog not adopted can be donated to institutions for medical/scientific study purposes and/or disposed of by means of euthanasia under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian as prescribed by the Animal Welfare Act of 1997.
An animal pound was established at the eco-park in Sitio Pugad Lawin in Barangay San Juan where impounded dogs and cats are kept.
Animal catcher Bernardo Ferrer said they have so far impounded 14 stray dogs. The dog catchers are in pairs equipped with a large catching net and cage in motorcycle with kolong-kolong sidecar.
There are five pairs of dog catchers rounding up stray dogs and cats in 14 barangays of the town.
