ON THE heels of orders to rid streets of stray dogs, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is pushing for microchip implants for man’s best friend.

Magalong said he is compassionate towards the plight of euthanized dogs in the city and alternative solutions are now being sought.

The mayor said the microchip implant for pets could be the answer for the city with the cooperation of responsible dog owners in a bid to lessen stray dogs in the streets.

City veterinarian Brigit Piok added the microchip solution will be of no cost to the city and will be shouldered by dog owners at P299 per dog.

Piok said the microchip will be implanted under the skin of the dog which will have essential information like details of ownership, breed, sex and age of the dog which will make finding its home and owner easier and hassle free.

The city veterinarian added the city will provide the data base when dog owners register “so that we will know who to contact and where to bring the dog.”

Piok revealed that in her office’s actual survey conducted in 2016, there are 60,000 dogs in the Summer Capital.

She admitted that even with the city veterinary office’s dog neutering project to stop the animals from reproducing, it does not have data if the canine population has decreased or increased since 2016.

Piok warned that dog bite is a top cause of morbidity in humans according to the Health Services Office.

“Our program is to reduce dog bites in the city especially those caused by stray dogs and to vaccinate at least 80 percent of the local dog population,” she said.

Piok added that during her office’s first meeting with the Magalong they were ordered to intensify the impounding of stray dogs starting at Purok 17, Irisan. (With reports from Jonathan Llanes, Baguio City Public Information Office)