CVO: 3 days to claim impounded dogs
Owners of impounded dogs are given three days to claim their pets, otherwise, the animals will be disposed to avoid rabies threat and protect public health and safety, an official of the Iloilo City Veterinarian Office said.
Dr. Suzzette Leal of CVO said that residents can report to their office the presence of stray dogs for proper action.
The CVO has impounded 135 dogs as of August 31 in an effort to prevent the spread of deadly rabies virus.
Their office can be reached at tel. no. 337-9866. It is located inside the Motorpool Compound, Delgado Street, City Proper.
The impounding of stray animals is part of the city’s rabies control measures. The CVO is equipped with an impounding vehicle manned by a driver and two dog catchers.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the incidence of positive rabies cases in the city has greatly increased over the last few years and has already reached an alarming condition that immediate measure is needed to address the situation.
Mabilog has created a rabies control committee to implement rabies control activities.
The mayor chairs the rabies control committee, with co-chair Councilor Lyndon Acap.
The anti-rabies committee members are City Veterinarian Tomas Forteza, City Health Officer Urminico Baronda, Iloilo City Police Office Director Dennis Basngi, City Schools Division Superintendent Erlinda Gencaya, City Department of Interior and Local Government Officer John Ace Azarcon, Liga ng mga Barangay president Irene Ong, City Prosecutor Peter Baliao, City Public Information Officer Amante Espejo Jr., and NGO representative Jeanette Oberio.*
