City Urges Pet Owners to be Responsible
June 6, 2015
BAGUIO CITY – Rabies is a deadly viral disease most commonly transmitted through dog bites.
Thus, it is the goal of the city government here spearheaded by the city veterinary office to have zero animal rabies case.
City veterinarian, Dr. Brigit Piok reported that out of the 18,000 dog population in the city, their office has vaccinated 14,217 dogs.
Also, their office has impounded 689 dogs in public places and neutered 26 dogs and cats.
“Our office takes care of dogs that bite people while the bite victim is taken cared of by the health services office,” stressed Piok.
Pet owners are reminded of ordinance numbered 025, series of 2000 prohibiting dog owners to allow their dogs loose in the streets and outside their homes, and ordinance numbers 09, series of 2008 stating that dog owners must register their dogs in their respective barangay offices and to subject their dogs to anti-rabies vaccination every year.
Piok said, “the purpose of having a dog is for a guard, for a pet and for the blind as a guide and for the sick for therapy. The guard dog must always be at its post at home and so with the pet dog, the guide dog and the therapy dog must always be home and well taken cared of.”
Mayor Mauricio Domogan urged pet owners to be responsible by following laws and ordinances in keeping his dog.
“A responsible pet owner keeps his dog at home and will not allow it to go outside his home to cause nuisance to other people and the community as well. Hindi madaling makagat ng aso dahil mahal ang anti-rabies vaccines,” added Domogan.
The city of Baguio has one animal rabies case reported as of this writing./Jho Arranz
