'Regulate pet ownership, intensify rabies vaccination in Malay'

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, Aklan will entertain amendments on the existing rabies control ordinance to regulate pet ownership.

PHOTO MAO-MALAY

Recent reports of increased dog bites and stray dogs on the streets that endanger the health, safety and general welfare of tourists, residents and the community are major concerns in mainland Malay and Boracay Island.  

The council plans to amend the ordinance on rabies control and pet ownership to curb the number of incidents involving stray dogs in Malay which includes the world-famous island.

Municipal Ordinance No. 302 was enacted on September 6, 2011 to “prohibit stray, unwanted, unvaccinated dogs from roaming around public places, protect inhabitants from the danger of rabies and responsible pet ownership.”

The amendments to be introduced include limiting the number of dogs a person can own and the impounding field control mechanisms and disposition of stray dogs.

From January to June this year, a total of 1,056 dogs and cats in Balabag were vaccinated, 1,400 in Manoc-Manoc and 583 in Yapak. 

Of the 223 stray dogs and cats captured, 156 remained unclaimed, 22 were redeemed by pet owners and 25 were adopted by animal rescue center in Kalibo.

Last year, house to house visitation and dog immunization activities were also conducted in Boracay Island and mainland Malay by vaccinators in outstation project of Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) for more than 5,000 dog population.

“Matagal na itong problema sa stray dogs sa Malay. Walang aako sa responsibilidad sa pagpapagamot pag nakakagat na ang kanilang aso,” said town councilor Floribar Bautista.

Under the existing ordinance, dog owners are encouraged to register their pets in the barangay for a fee of P300 which cover the cost of dog tag and anti-rabies vaccination. The registration is valid for a year.

A functional municipal and barangay rabies control and consultative committees are also established to ensure proper, effective and sustainable implementation of rabies control ordinance.

In 2013, the island of Boracay was declared rabies-free zones of Department of Health (DoH), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).