THE Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) required the Bacolod City Government to justify the method of killing impounded dogs, which is through the use of firearms.
City Veterinarian Ma. Agueda dela Torre said in January this year, they requested the deputation of police officers from BAI national office to euthanize the impounded dogs.
BAI recommended to the city to only use a tranquilizer or any medicine to terminate the dogs, but Dela Torre said using a firearm is cheaper than using the injectable procedure to euthanize the dogs.
She said killing a dog using a firearm is also legal, based on the Animal Welfare Act.
"Only the authorized personnel, police or military, can perform this method," she added.
Dela Torre noted they lack the veterinary personnel to take care of the impounded dogs.
At present, the City Veterinary Office (CVO) pound in Barangay 35 has a total of eight impounded dogs.
Under City Ordinance 184, if the dog owner fails to redeem the impounded dog for 10 days, the dog will be terminated or subject to adoption, Dela Torre said.
In 2017, CVO impounded a total of 848 dogs and euthanized a total of 679 dogs.
Dela Torre also encouraged the barangay officials to activate the Barangay Rabies Council to catch the stray dogs within the village and turn them over to the city's dog pound.
From January to March 15 this year, the CVO has vaccinated a total of 11,841 dogs and cats.
Last year, Barangay Granada was awarded as best rabies implementer in Western Visayas.
