QC steps up drive vs rabies

Concerned over the problem of stray dogs and the threat of rabies in Quezon City, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has ordered the city health department to stock up on anti-rabies vaccines and called for the immediate construction of dog pounds.

Belmonte told city health officer Dr. Ma Paz Ugalde to coordinate with the city engineer’s office, the University of the Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine and with animal rights groups for the construction of the facility and the proper disposal of dogs not claimed by owners.

The ordinance provides a certain period of time for owners to claim their dogs caught by roving dogcatchers.

The city council earlier passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor to set up a department which will take care of the rising problem of stray dogs particularly in the barangays.

Residents have expressed concern over the rising number of stray dogs, which they say pose a threat to pedestrians, particularly children walking home from school.

The mayor, however said city health personnel must coordinate with animal rights activists for the proper disposal of dogs in accordance with law on animal treatment.

Belmonte also told Ugalde to make sure the city has an adequate stocks of vaccine to address the rising number of dog bite cases.

We must have anti-rabies vaccines at all health center," he said. — Perseus Echeminada