Roxas City conducts massive dog vaccination
Roxas City -- At least 98 percent of the 7,827 total dog population here were vaccinated against rabies from the period January 16 to February 24 this year to protect residents from rabies-causing dog bites.
This accomplishment is above the 80 percent target required by the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program of the country.
The massive dog vaccination was led by the Office of the City Veterinarian as preparatory activities for the Rabies Awareness Month this March.
Roxas City Veterinarian Dante Corros said the city government will adopt a provincial ordinance on responsible dog ownership to amend its existing old anti-rabies countermeasures.
The ordinance, passed and approved last year, declares public areas like schools, plaza, market, offices, dumpsites, hospitals, beaches, sports centers, transport terminals including seaports and airports, among others, as dog-free areas.
Dog traps will be set up in identified areas to capture stray dogs.
Likewise, the law requires owners' responsibility to vaccinate their canine pets seeing to it that they are accountable whenever the dog bites a person outside of their enclosed premises.
Regional Rabies Coordinator and Veterinarian Vicente Nim enjoined the support of local government officials in the fight against the dreaded disease of both humans and animals to achieve the ultimate goal of a rabies-free region in a letter sent to concerned local government units.
The month-long rabies awareness campaign has a theme "Responsible Pet Ownership for a Rabies Free Philippines - Mag-ingat sa Rabis!"
(PIA)