An official of Bantay Hayop Davao (BHD) is optimistic that the proposal prohibiting the letting loose of pet dogs will strengthen the fight against the spread of rabies. The proposal will likewise stop the unchecked growth of population of stray dogs, a lingering problem of the city for many years now.
Last Tuesday, the City Council passed on second reading the proposal amending Ordinance No. 1457, Series Of 1974, entitled “An Ordinance Prohibiting The Loosening Or Letting Stray of Dogs In The City Of Davao, Providing For The Catching And Impounding Of The Same, Collection Of Fees For Impounding Them And Providing Further For Their Disposition When Not Claimed Within A Certain Period And Providing For Penalty In Case Of Violation Thereof.”
“If this ordinance is approved, it will strengthen the fight against the spread of rabies, accidents, increase of stray population due to irresponsible pet ownership. This is one way we can solve the problem directly, but it needs to be in the barangay level and not just another ordinance,” Rovie Bullina, program director of BHD, told Edge Davao.
Bullina said that problems caused by stray animals are not the fault of the animals, which are abandoned and homeless, but by the people who are negligent and irresponsible of their pets.
“We should not punish these animals by killing them in the city pound but we should penalize the owners who turned them into strays instead of companion animals or pets,” she added.
Bullina also said that ordinances like Ordinance No. 1457 need to be implemented once approved.
“It needs implementation, and Bantay Hayop Davao, as long as we exist, will continue to assist the government not just in the consultation, but also in the implementation,” she said.
Section 7 of the Ordinance stated that dogs/cattle, including carabaos and maybe goats shall be considered stray if they are not accompanied by their owner and found wandering in streets, plazas, markets, school premises, and other public places.
Based on Republic Act No. 9482 of the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007” imposes the following penalties: P2,000.00 for pet owners who fail to have their dog registered and immunized; P10,000 for those who refuse to have their dog placed under observation after it has bitten a person; P25,000 for pet owners who refused to shoulder the medical expenses of the bitten person; P500 for dog owners who refuse to put their dog on a leash; P5,000 per dog for those found guilty of trading dog for meat and imprisonment for one year to four years; and P 5,000 per act and imprisonment of one to four years for those who use electrocution as a method of euthanasia.
