Baywalk eyed as pet-friendly zone

Even a morning downpour could not dampen the spirit of pet lovers and animal rights activists, who gathered at the Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard in Manila yesterday to have their "best friends" blessed and to campaign against cruelty.

It was the first time the blessing of house pets was held at the popular recreation spot, which is now being promoted as a pet-friendly zone.

Ramona Eliza Torres-Consunji, a director of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), said some 50 animals showed up for yesterday’s activities, which had three objectives.

The first was to bless house pets in celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and second to celebrate World Animal Day.

"The third objective is to enjoin our fellow Filipinos to uphold and respect the rights of animals. We must show our animal friends that we are concerned that they are being tortured. We are concerned over the total disregard for animal rights," Consunji said.

This year, the activity carried the theme "Stop Animal Fighting and Cruelty to Animals."

She pointed out that the country has an existing law, Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act, that imposes penalties on those found to be cruel to animals.

Despite the existence of a law, animals are still being treated poorly, according to PAWS director Alma Peralta.

"Not many people know that it is illegal to kill dogs and turn them into pulutan. For some it is a part of their culture. But if their culture is not good, they should change it," she said.

Peralta also pointed out that dogfights are still being held and patronized even in Metro Manila.

But what really gets her ire is how most owners do not take good care of their pets. "They neglect even simple things such as providing them with clean drinking water and give them room to move by using long leashes or chains," she said.

The city government of Manila hosted yesterday’s activity, in cooperation with PAWS and dog food maker Alpo.

Although the blessing of animals has been a PAWS tradition in the last 10 years, it was the first time the event was held on Roxas Boulevard.

Former Councilor Kim Atienza, chairman of the Buhayin ang Maynila program of Manila City Hall, said they want to promote Baywalk as a pet-friendly area.

"We are encouraging PAWS and other similar groups to use Baywalk as their venue. It is a place for families and their pets," he said.

Atienza, a known collector of exotic animals, brought some of his pets, including three pythons, a cayman crocodile, a Philippine hornbill, a cockatoo, and a sulcata African tortoise.

Also joining the event were 10 mini schnauzers.

The blessing was officiated by Fr. John Barro, dean of academics and director of Spiritual Formation of the Holy Apostle’s Seminary located inside the San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati City.

He brought along his two Golden Retrievers, named Prince and Princess.

Barro said pet owners should understand that they are "not just owners of pets, but caretakers of life."

"Pets teach us what mortality, friendship, companionship and love is. In blessing them, we celebrate the kinship with them. Pets replenish our own energy. Animals can be our own co-therapist because they can provide so much healing for other people," he said.

Blessing of animals will also be held today at the Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City, and at the Malate Church in Manila. A private group has also organized a similar event at St. Andrews Church in Parañaque City.

Punish Irresponsible Owners — Villar

Sen. Manny Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on public order, said yesterday pet ownership comes with responsibilities that should be performed and not ignored.

Alarmed over increasing victims of dog bites, Villar filed Senate Bill 631 that calls for the control and eradication of rabies as well as imposition of penalties for dog owners who violate anti-rabies provisions.

Villar noted that the country has the highest rabies incidence worldwide.

"The Philippines may be also have the biggest number of stray animals. So there is an urgent need to control rabies and to mete out penalties against pet owners who allow their pets to roam the streets unattended and fail to have them immunized against rabies. Otherwise, the number of fatalities from rabies will continue to increase," he said.

Under Villar’s bill, all pet owners, particularly dog owners, are required to have their pets immunized against rabies at three months old and every year thereafter; not allow their dogs to roam the streets or any public place unattended; and to bathe, give clean food and provide clean sleeping quarters to their pets.

Villar also tasked the Department of Health to conduct a continuous information campaign nationwide on the dangers and prevention of rabies; to provide anti-rabies vaccination free of charge to persons bitten by stray animals; to conduct mass rabies vaccination of dogs regularly particularly in high-risk areas.

"All local government units shall seize and impound stray animals, particularly dogs and cats, which shall be released to claimants after proper lecture and payment of fines (not less than P500 and not more than P1,000), and after immunization if they have been found not to have been immunized against rabies will be punished with a fine of not more than P500 or imprisonment for one day or both," the bill further cites.