BONTOC, Mountain Province – In a bid to ensure public safety and minimize the spread of rabies, the Municipal Anti Rabies Control Council conducted a dog catching activity on August 4, 2023, at the four central barangays of this capital town.
The activity carried out by personnel from the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAG), Municipal Health Office, Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), Bontoc Municipal Police Station, and trained Barangay Kagawads from Bontoc Ili, Poblacion, and Caluttit proved successful as eight dogs were caught and are currently impounded at the PVO.
In an interview, Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., commended the efforts of the council and expressed gratitude to the dedicated barangay council members who took up the role of trained dog catchers.
He stated, “The dog catching activity is a crucial step in maintaining public safety and preventing the spread of rabies in our community. Stray dogs pose a significant risk to our citizens, especially children.”
Mayor Tudlong further stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership and urged pet owners to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and ensure they are properly cared for.
“It is vital that we work together to address this issue at its roots. By being responsible pet owners, we can mitigate the risks associated with stray dogs and create a safer environment for everyone,” he added.
The owners of the impounded dogs are advised to visit the OMAG to reclaim their pets.
As per Ordinance No. 373, S. 2023, violators of the ordinance are subjected to a fine of not less than P500.00 for the first offense and P1,000.00 for the second and succeeding offenses.
The Municipal Anti Rabies Control Council urges all pet owners to be responsible and ensure that their dogs are properly vaccinated against rabies. Additionally, they request the cooperation of the community in reporting stray dogs or any potential rabies-related incidents to the appropriate authorities promptly.
